I know that some postage-stamp countries in Europe rank higher in subjective "quality of life" surveys, but most of them can afford to spend so little on defense because of the US and its historical protection of their independence. The US has the highest GDP and highest GDP per capita (I know some people say China beat us on the first part but the math is bad and everyone knows it). It remains the only superpower in the world. And despite its power it has remained a representative democracy.
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*