Country Report Outline
Section 1: Country History. Identify when the country became a sovereign nation. Describe important historical aspects such as the war fought, alliances formed, etc. Describe whether the country was a colonizing power or sought its independence from a colonizing power. Account for the circumstances that lead to those conditions.
Section 2: Geography. Describe the geopolitical realities. Are there geographical barriers that protect the country from external threats? Is the country divided by mountainous terrain? Is it land-locked? Does it have arable land?
Section 3: Demographics. Describe the ethnic, religious, and cultural makeup of the country. Include the birth, literacy and infant mortality rates. Describe gender roles. Describe familial characteristics (Are marriages prearranged? Is there a high divorce rate? ect.) Describe the educational characteristics of the population.
Section 4: Economic Outlook. Is this a developed or developing nation? Describe important agricultural & manufacturing sectors. Describe the countrys natural resources. What type of infrastructure is in place to accommodate economic activity (I.E. ports, rails, rivers, universities)? What are the major exports? What are the major imports? Describe trade flows (who they trade with). What are the average wages? Describe the work force (skilled/unskilled, professional). Include economic and trade indicators such as per capita GDP, exports and imports as a percentage of GDP, etc.
Section 5: Political Outlook. Describe the system of government. How stable is the country politically. Who are the major political players (individuals, parties)? Describe government revenues and expenditures. Describe the military structure (Is the military under civilian control?). Describe military capabilities and expenditures (as a percentage of GDP). Describe the contentious relations with neighbors, border disputes or clashes over resources (water, minerals, natural gas, etc.).
Section 6: Analysis. Taking into account the information described above, describe the countrys strengths and weaknesses, Be sure to address any challenges or potential liabilities posed by internal or external threats. For instance, address possible implications of not being self sufficient in regards to feeding its citizens. Educating its citizens. Employing its citizens. Being militarily vulnerable. Not being economically diverse. Being a small country. Having ethnic cleavages.
Economic Analysis: Analyze economic outlook. Is the country economically powerful? Are they members of regional economic organizations? Try to identify trade flows.
Political Analysis: Analyze the political outlook. How stable is the country & the region they are in? What are the destabilizing forces? Are their tensions between any of the major actors? Identify any political regional organizations.
Final Analysis: Address the future as you see it, of the country. What does it need to do to prosper & develop? Identify the pitfalls to be avoided. Does the future hold peace & stability or conflict
