The link I posted has a whole host of good metrics, the best being reconciliation programs in what number of districts. This is correlated with strong district government which is the key to winning, in my opinion.

Of course, my personal favorite for all states is infant mortality. It doesn't relate to direct causes, but is far and away the most correlated to good government. Basically, the countries you want to live in with good economies and standards of living, have low infant mortality and failed states have very high infant mortality. Now, in a country like Afghanistan, it has had historically abysmal infant mortality rates. If America could cut their rate in half, do you think Afghans or Pakistanis or Arabs would hate us for that?

Of course, some would say that Afghans just want to live in the 1300s, but trust me they want to have less of their babies die more than anything else.