I recommend reading the book Oxygen: The molecule that made the world for a thorough understanding of ageing.

Among other things it explains the heartbeats of birds vs "finite number of heartbeats". We all have mechanisms for DNA damage repair. In humans, if I remember correctly, there are 3 such mechanisms, but in birds there are 4. This explains why birds live longer, even though they have more heartbeats pr. minute (i.e. oxygen consumption and DNA damage).

I think you are looking for the word 'Envy', but you should also look up The Jante Law http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jante_Law

"A peaceful and civilized nation"? Is there any nation fitting that description anywhere?"

Iceland, maybe. 0% spendage on military, and on top of the rankings (at least before the banks there took a trip under the permafrost)