Values Formation Index as Correlates of Global Peace Index

Abstract

This paper created a Values Formation Index (VFI) using the World Values Survey (WVS). The new index serves as a criterion in identifying which countries have the highest or lowest VFI because it influences a certain degree of global peace. First, the correlation between VFI and the Global Peace Index (GPI) data of 2019, among the 55 countries, was necessary to determine if countries with high VFI might have high GPI. Second, the principal components (PCs) were regressed on GPI to determine further how each PC affects the country’s GPI. Moreover, the objectives included the derivation of the PCs using Kaiser criterion, the correlation between the VFI and GPI, and compute the regression analysis among PCS. Results revealed that only five PCs were derived and necessary using the Kaiser criterion. The findings revealed a positive moderately strong significant association (r=0.4346, p= 0.0009), which implies that a country with high VFI ranks high on the GPI; and among the five PCs, only Kernel of Endurance and Rudiments of Success can significantly explain variation in log (GPI) based on the p-values (KE=.000; RS=.02). Hence, value formation at home or in school premises serves as a double-edged sword because it is essential for peacebuilding. Parents and educators must model values that are worthy of replication. These modeled values must be helpful to the youth’s portrayal of human nature, social relations, norms, and the structure of society; thus, they significantly contribute to attaining the country’s global peace.