China Seen Overtaking U.S. as Global Superpower

[ChinaToday]

Overview

In most regions of the world, opinion of the United States continues to be more favorable than it was in the Bush years, but U.S. image now faces a new challenge: doubts about America’s superpower status. In 15 of 22 nations, the balance of opinion is that China either will replace or already has replaced the United States as the world’s leading superpower. This view is especially widespread in Western Europe, where at least six-in-ten in France (72%), Spain (67%), Britain (65%) and Germany (61%) see China overtaking the U.S.

Majorities in Pakistan, the Palestinian territories, Mexico and China itself also foresee China supplanting the U.S. as the world’s dominant power. In most countries for which there are trends, the view that China will overtake the U.S. has increased substantially over the past two years, including by 10 or more percentage points in Spain, France, Pakistan, Britain, Jordan, Israel, Poland and Germany. Among Americans, the percentage saying that China will eventually overshadow or has already overshadowed the U.S. has increased from 33% in 2009 to 46% in 2011.

At least some of this changed view of the global balance of power may reflect the fact that the U.S. is increasingly seen as trailing China economically. This is especially the case in Western Europe, where the percentage naming China as the top economic power has increased by double digits in Spain, Germany, Britain and France since 2009.

In other parts of the globe, fewer are convinced that China is the world’s leading economic power. Majorities or pluralities in Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America still name the U.S. as the world’s dominant economic power. In the Middle East, Palestinians and Israelis agree that America continues to sit atop the global economy, while in Jordan and Lebanon more see China in this role. Notably, by an almost 2-to-1 margin the Chinese still believe the U.S. is the world’s dominant economic power.

These are among the key findings from a survey by the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project, conducted March 18 to May 15.1 The survey also finds that, in the U.S., France, Germany, Spain and Japan, those who see China as the world’s leading economic power believe this is a bad thing. By contrast, those who name the U.S. tend to think it is good that America is still the top global economy. In developing countries those who believe China has already overtaken the U.S. economically generally view this as a positive development. Meanwhile, in China, those who believe the U.S. is still the world’s leading economy tend to see this as a negative.

Compared with reaction to China’s economic rise, global opinion is more consistently negative when it comes to the prospect of China equaling the U.S. militarily. Besides the Chinese themselves, only in Pakistan, Jordan, the Palestinian territories and Kenya do majorities see an upside to China matching the U.S. in terms of military power. Meanwhile, the prevailing view in Japan and India is that it would not be in their country’s interest if China were to equal the U.S. militarily; majorities across Western and Eastern Europe, and in Turkey and Israel, share this view.

U.S. Image Largely Favorable

Despite the view in many countries that China either has or will surpass the U.S. as the leading superpower, opinion of America remains favorable, on balance. The median percentage offering a positive assessment of the U.S. is 60% among the 23 countries surveyed. The U.S. receives high marks in Western Europe, where at least six-in-ten in

France, Spain, Germany and Britain rate the U.S. positively. Opinion of the U.S. is also consistently favorable across Eastern Europe, as well as in Japan, Kenya, Israel, Brazil and Mexico.

As in years past, U.S. image continues to suffer among predominantly Muslim countries, with the exception of Indonesia, where a majority expresses positive views of the U.S. One-in-five or fewer in Egypt, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Pakistan and Turkey view America favorably. In Lebanon, opinion of the U.S. is split, reflecting a religious and sectarian divide; the country’s Shia community has overwhelmingly negative views of America, while Lebanese Sunnis and Christians are more positive.

Views of the U.S. in the Muslim world reflect, at least in part, opposition to the war in Afghanistan and U.S. efforts to fight terrorism. Moreover, few in predominantly Muslim countries say the U.S. takes a multilateral approach to foreign policy. Fewer than a quarter in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey say the U.S. takes the interests of countries like theirs into account when making foreign policy decisions

In Western Europe, fewer than half in Britain (40%), France (32%) and Spain (19%) say the U.S. takes the interests of other countries into account when making foreign policy decisions. Only in Germany does a majority feel otherwise. In Eastern Europe, a third or less believe America acts multilaterally.

Interestingly, a majority of Chinese (57%) credit America with considering the interests of other nations, although last year more (76%) held this view. Elsewhere, majorities in Israel, India, Japan, Brazil and Kenya describe the U.S. as multilateral in its approach to foreign policy.

Majorities or pluralities in nearly every country surveyed say the U.S. and NATO should remove their troops from Afghanistan as soon as possible; the only exceptions are Spain, Israel, India, Japan and Kenya, where more say troops should remain in that country until the situation is stabilized than say they should be removed. However, in many parts of the world, there is strong support for the broader, American-led effort to combat terrorism. About seven-in-ten in France (71%), two-thirds in Germany, 59% in Britain and 58% in Spain back U.S. anti-terrorism efforts. Majorities in Eastern Europe also support the U.S.-led fight against terrorism, as do most in Israel and Kenya.

U.S. Viewed More Favorably Than China
Across the nations surveyed, the U.S. generally receives more favorable marks than China: the median percentage rating China favorably is 52%, eight points lower than the median percentage offering a positive assessment of the U.S.

However, the number of people expressing positive views of China has grown in a number of countries, including the four Western European countries surveyed. China’s image has also improved in Indonesia, Japan, Egypt and Poland. Opinion of China has worsened substantially in only two countries surveyed: Kenya (down 15 percentage points from last year) and Jordan (9 points lower than in 2010).

U.S. image, meanwhile, has declined in most countries for which there are trends. Compared with last year, favorable views of America are lower in Kenya (11 percentage points), Jordan (8 points), Turkey (7 points), Indonesia (5 points), Pakistan (5 points), Mexico (4 points), Poland (4 points) and Britain (4 points). However, the largest downward shift has occurred in China, where the number expressing a positive view of the U.S. has fallen 14 points – from 58% in 2010 to 44% today.

In Japan, by contrast, opinion of the U.S. has improved dramatically. A year ago, roughly two-thirds (66%) held a favorable view of America; today, more than eight-in-ten (85%) assess the U.S. favorably. This huge boost in U.S. image is attributable in part to America’s role in helping Japan respond to the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck the island nation’s northeast coast in March. A majority (57%) of Japanese say the U.S. has done a great deal to assist their country in responding to this dual disaste

Views of Obama
Assessments of President Obama track fairly closely with overall U.S. ratings. Obama is viewed most positively in Western Europe, where solid majorities say they have confidence in the U.S. president to do the right thing when it comes to world affairs. At least two-thirds in Kenya, Japan and Lithuania also express confidence in Obama, as do smaller majorities in Brazil, Indonesia and Poland.

As is the case with the overall U.S. image, Obama receives his most negative ratings among predominantly Muslim countries. In the Arab world, majorities in the Palestinian territories (84%), Jordan (68%), Egypt (64%) and Lebanon (57%) lack confidence in the president. Roughly seven-in-ten in Turkey (73%) and Pakistan (68%) say the same. Indonesians are the exception, with 62% saying they have confidence in Obama to do the right thing in world affairs.

Overall, the U.S. president continues to inspire more confidence than any of the other world leaders tested in the survey. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is next most trusted, at least in Europe and Israel. Majorities across Western Europe endorse the German leader’s handling of world affairs, as do most in Eastern Europe. In fact, in Russia and Ukraine she is more trusted than Obama; this is also the case in Israel.

Broad trust in Obama’s leadership does not mean foreign publics necessarily agree with the U.S. president’s policies. For example, in nearly every nation surveyed majorities or pluralities disapprove of Obama’s handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many also disapprove of Obama’s handling of Iran and Afghanistan, while reactions to the way he has dealt with the recent calls for political change in the Middle East are mixed.

In general, Obama receives his highest marks for his handling of global economic problems. Majorities across Western Europe, for example, endorse Obama’s approach to economic issues, with the highest approval (68%) found in Germany. Large numbers in Kenya, Japan, Indonesia, Brazil and Lithuania also approve of how the U.S. president is dealing with the challenges facing the global economy.

Reactions to China’s Growing Power

Across the globe, public reactions to China’s growing economy are far more positive than opinions about the country’s growing military power. Positive assessments of China’s growing economy are most widespread in the Middle East, where majorities in the Arab countries surveyed, as well as Israel, agree that China’s economic growth benefits their country.

Most in Kenya, Pakistan, Indonesia, Japan, Britain, Brazil and Spain also say China’s growing economy is good for their country. Within Asia, only Indians offer negative views, with just 29% describing an expanding Chinese economy as a good thing and 40% saying it is a bad thing for their country.

When China’s emerging power is framed in military terms, publics in most surveyed nations react less favorably. Majorities or pluralities in all but four of the nations surveyed say China’s increasing military might is a bad thing for their country. This is especially the case in Japan, the U.S., Western Europe and Russia, where at least seven-in-ten have negative views of China’s growing military power.

In contrast, about seven-in-ten Pakistanis (72%) see China’s growing military might as a good thing for their country, as do 62% of Kenyans and Palestinians. Indonesians, by a slim margin (44% to 36%), concur with this view.

Economic Concerns
Opinions as to whether the U.S. or China is the world’s leading economic power, and whether China will supplant America as the dominant superpower, are taking shape against a backdrop of widespread uncertainty about the future and unhappiness with economic conditions at home. In most of the nations surveyed, people say their country’s economy is in bad shape and express dissatisfaction with the way things are going in their country. Moreover, few expect economic conditions to improve in the next year.

Frustration is especially intense in Pakistan, where roughly nine-in-ten say they are displeased with the way things are going in their country, but large majorities across the globe are also dissatisfied. For example, in Spain, dissatisfaction with the country’s direction is at its highest level (83%) since 2003. Meanwhile, the number of Americans who think their country is headed in the wrong direction has swelled from 62% to 73% over the past year.

Only in a handful of countries do more than half express satisfaction with their country’s direction. Among these exceptions are China, Brazil, and India – all dynamic, emerging economic powerhouses, regionally and globally. In Egypt, too, there is substantial satisfaction with the country’s direction (65%), likely reflecting renewed optimism about the country’s future, following the democratic uprising earlier this year

In many instances, levels of overall satisfaction are linked to assessments of the economy. In the U.S., France, Britain and Spain, eight-in-ten or more offer a negative assessment of the national economy, and majorities in these countries see rising prices and a lack of jobs as very big problems.

Inflation worries are especially pronounced outside the industrialized West. Overwhelming majorities in Pakistan, Kenya, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, India and Indonesia describe price increases as a major problem. In Spain, Britain and the U.S., unemployment weighs more heavily than rising prices on the minds of average citizens.

The Chinese public is the most upbeat about economic conditions, with nearly nine-in-ten describing the domestic economy as good. In Germany, two-thirds echo this view, while smaller majorities in India, Israel and Brazil favorably assess the economic situation in their country.

Inflation and a lack of job opportunities are also seen as less urgent issues among Chinese and German respondents. In Germany, for instance, only about a third of the public describes either price increases or unemployment as very big problems. In China, 37% say a lack of jobs is a major concern, while about half are worried about inflation.

Despite economic concerns, publics in all regions express substantial support for growing international trade and business ties with other countries. No fewer than two-thirds in each country say increased international trade is very or somewhat good for their country.

Also of Note:
• Among those who describe the economic situation in their country as bad, most place the primary blame on government. To a greater degree than others, Western Europeans fault banks and other financial institutions for economic troubles at home, with as many as 75% of those who say the economy is bad in Britain and Spain taking this view.

• Worldwide, people tend to blame outside forces, rather than individuals themselves for unemployment in their country. In Western Europe and the U.S., roughly seven-in-ten or more attribute unemployment to forces beyond the control of individuals.

• The United Nations generally receives positive marks among the 23 nations surveyed. However, opinion of the international body is negative in Israel (69%), the Palestinian territories (67%), Jordan (64%) and Turkey (61%).

• In most predominantly Muslim countries there is widespread opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. Only in Pakistan does a majority (61%) support Iran’s nuclear ambitions, although significant numbers of Palestinians (38%) and Lebanese (34%) back Iran’s acquisition of a nuclear arsenal.

China Seen Overtaking U.S. as Global Superpower | Pew Global Attitudes Project

a very details analysis for a survey

 

[Zulkarneyn]

Interesting study, especially how turks view China negatively. I thought Turkish people like China. Bu then again it must be that your products replace ours in the European market ^^

 

[ChinaToday]

Chapter 1. The Global Balance of Power

Many around the world believe the global balance of power is shifting. In 15 of 22 nations, majorities or pluralities say China either will replace or already has replaced the United States as the world’s leading superpower.

This view is widespread in many nations where the U.S. is popular, as well as in nations where anti-Americanism runs high. And it has become considerably more common across much of the globe over the last two years.

Looking just at the 18 countries surveyed in both 2009 and 2011, the median percentage saying China will replace or already has supplanted the U.S. as the world’s dominant power increased from 40% in 2009 to 47% two years later. Meanwhile, the median percentage saying China will never replace the U.S. fell from 44% to 36%.

Of course, the U.S. is still the world’s largest national economy, and majorities or pluralities in 15 of 22 countries say the U.S. is currently the top economic power. However, the view that China occupies the top position is much more prevalent now than it was in 2009. In particular, Western Europeans increasingly see China as the economic frontrunner – and they generally consider this a negative development.

In addition to concerns about China’s economic prominence, many in Western Europe and elsewhere react negatively to the idea of China as a military superpower. Majorities in most of the nations surveyed say it would be a bad thing if China became as powerful militarily as the U.S. However, this view is not shared everywhere – for instance, more than six-in-ten Palestinians and at least seven-in-ten Pakistanis and Jordanians would welcome a world where China’s military strength matched America’s.

Will China Become the Leading Power?

Relatively few people in the countries polled believe China has already replaced the U.S. as the leading global superpower, although more than one-in-five hold this opinion in France (23%) and Poland (21%). But large numbers in many countries believe China will eventually supplant the U.S.

Adding together those who think China either will or already has overtaken the U.S. produces solid majorities in Western Europe, and this view has become much more common since 2009. Two-thirds in Spain think China will or already has become the dominant power, up from 48% two years ago. Similar increases have taken place in France (+17 percentage points) and Britain (+16 points).

Nearly half of Poles (47%, up from 36% in 2009) and Russians (45%) think China has or will become the leading superpower.

In the Middle East, over the last two years, Jordanians and Israelis have become much more likely to see China in the leading role. Currently, 47% in both countries express this view, as does a majority of Palestinians (54%).

The percentage of Pakistanis who believe China will replace or has already replaced the U.S. has also grown significantly, rising from 40% to 57%. Not all of China’s Asian neighbors believe it will assume the top spot, however. Most Japanese (60%) and a plurality of Indonesians (46%) think China will never replace the U.S.

Similarly, a 47%-plurality of Brazilians says the U.S. will never be replaced by China. However, a majority (53%) of Mexicans now see China supplanting their neighbor to the north.

In China itself, a strong 63%-majority believes their country already has or will become the leading global power, although this is down slightly from 67% in 2009. The American public is divided on this issue: 46% think China has or will overtake the U.S., while 45% say this will never happen. Republicans (48% never) and Democrats (46%) are slightly more likely than independents (40%) to say China will never replace the U.S.

The Economic Balance of Power

Even though many consider China an emerging superpower, the U.S. is still widely seen as the global economic leader. Half or more hold this view in Turkey (68%), Mexico (65%), Kenya (62%), Lithuania (58%), the Palestinian territories (55%), Japan (55%), Brazil (53%) and Israel (50%), as well as in China (50%).

The economically advanced nations of the west see this issue differently, however. Roughly half in the four Western European nations surveyed name China as the top economic power. A 43%-plurality of Americans think China already holds the top position, and there are essentially no partisan differences on this issue, with slightly more than four-in-ten Democrats, Republicans, and independents placing China in the top spot.

Jordanians and Lebanese also tend to name China, rather than the U.S., as the world’s leading economy.

Germany is the only country where more than one-in-five believe the European Union is the world’s major economic power.

There is no country in which at least 20% name Japan as the leading economic power, although 18% express this view in Indonesia and 17% in Jordan. In 2010, a quarter of Russians placed Japan in the top position, but only 10% do so now.

Overall, there have been relatively few notable changes on this question since last year, although the Spanish have become significantly more likely to name China as the leading economy (34% in 2010, 49% in 2011). The Chinese themselves are now less likely to believe their own country occupies the top spot (36% in 2010, 26% in 2011). Meanwhile, Russians (23% in 2010, 40% in 2011), Japanese (40% in 2010, 55% in 2011), and Mexicans (53% in 2010, 65% in 2011) have become more likely to name the U.S.

Big changes have taken place, however, since 2009. Looking at the 16 nations surveyed in each of the last three years, the median percentage naming China as the world’s leading economic power has risen from 26% in 2009 to 32% today. The percentage naming the U.S. has declined from 47% to 42%.

The shift since 2009 has been especially large in Western Europe. The percentage naming China as the top economic power has more than doubled in Spain and has risen by 20 percentage points in Germany.

Views About American and Chinese Economic Power

Generally, American economic might is viewed positively. In 15 countries, those who name the U.S. as the leading economy tend to say this is a good thing. There are only four nations – Turkey, the Palestinian territories, Pakistan and China – where those who name the U.S. tend to believe America’s status as the top economy is a bad thing.

Views about Chinese economic power are more mixed. In 12 countries, those who name China as the leading economy on balance think this is a good thing, while in 9 countries they tend to see this in negative terms.

Throughout Western Europe, those who see China as the top economic power tend to believe this is a bad thing. In contrast, in France and Spain, those who name the U.S. generally think it is good that America occupies the top spot, while in Britain and Germany views on this are divided.

Similarly, Japanese respondents who name China as the top power generally see this as a negative development, while those who name the U.S. believe it is good that America is the economic leader.

The pattern is reversed in Pakistan and the Palestinian territories: Those who say China is the leader tend to say this is good, while those who name the U.S. generally see American economic power in a negative light.

China as a Military Superpower

In most of the nations surveyed, there is little enthusiasm for China becoming as militarily powerful as the U.S. Majorities or pluralities in 15 of 22 nations say this would be a bad thing.

In the U.S., Japan, Israel and all four Western European countries surveyed, at least seven-in-ten hold this view, as do more than six-in-ten in NATO members Poland and Lithuania.

However, in five of the six predominantly Muslim nations where this question was asked, majorities or pluralities embrace the idea of China matching America’s military strength. The exception is Turkey, where a 54%-majority says it would be bad if China became America’s military equal, up steeply from just 29% in 2005.

Most Kenyans (61%) think it would be good if China rivaled the U.S. militarily, as does an overwhelming majority in China itself (84%).

 

[ChinaToday]

Chapter 2. Views of the U.S. and American Foreign Policy

America’s image remains positive in most of the nations surveyed, and favorable ratings are particularly high in Europe. In most predominantly Muslim countries, however, views of the United States continue to be overwhelmingly negative.

For the most part, opinions of the U.S. have changed little, if at all, in most countries for which trends are available. However, America’s image is far more negative than it was in 2010 in China, while the Japanese give the U.S. considerably higher marks. The rise in favorable views of the U.S. in Japan is undoubtedly driven in part by highly positive reactions to American relief efforts following the March 11th earthquake and tsunami in that country.

In most countries, there is a perception that the U.S. acts unilaterally in world affairs. Only in seven countries do majorities say the U.S. considers the interests of countries like theirs when making foreign policy decisions.

When asked whether their governments cooperate with the U.S. government too much, not enough, or the about the right amount, people in most countries say they are satisfied with the amount of cooperation. In most Muslim nations, however, many say their countries cooperate too much with the U.S.; this is also a common opinion in Britain and Mexico. Only in Poland and Kenya is there a desire for more cooperation with the U.S.

The survey also finds that, while there is support for U.S.-led efforts to fight terrorism in many parts of the world, the war in Afghanistan, a cornerstone of these efforts, remains unpopular. Majorities or pluralities in 17 of 22 countries believe the U.S. and NATO troops should remove troops from Afghanistan as soon as possible.

U.S. Image Remains Largely Positive In the Obama Years

Majorities in 14 of 23 countries have a very or somewhat favorable opinion of the United States. In Europe, at least seven-in-ten in France (75%), Lithuania (73%) and Poland (70%) give the U.S. high marks; 64% in Spain, 62% in Germany, 61% in Britain, 60% in Ukraine and 56% in Russia also express positive opinions.

America’s image is most positive in Japan, where more than eight-in-ten (85%) have a favorable view of the U.S. Favorable ratings for the U.S. have improved markedly since last year, when 66% of Japanese expressed a positive view. This improvement is due at least in part to American relief efforts following the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March; 57% in Japan say the U.S. has done a great deal to assist their country with the impact of the twin disasters. (For more on Japanese views of the effect of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, see “Japanese Resilient, but See Economic Challenges Ahead,” released June 1, 2011.)

In contrast, in China, the image of the U.S. is more negative than it was in 2010. Currently, Chinese respondents are nearly evenly split; 44% have a favorable view and 46% have an unfavorable opinion of the U.S. A year ago, Chinese opinion of the U.S. was decidedly positive, with 58% offering a favorable assessment and 37% giving the U.S. a negative rating.

The U.S. favorability rating is, on balance, positive in India. About four-in-ten (41%) offer a favorable assessment while just 10% have a negative view of the U.S.; however, 49% of Indians do not offer an opinion.

Kenyans continue to give the U.S. high marks, as was the case during George W. Bush’s presidency, although fewer now have a favorable opinion than did so a year ago. About eight-in-ten (83%) Kenyans give the U.S. a positive evaluation, compared with 94% in 2010. Ratings are also largely positive in Brazil, where about six-in-ten (62%) offer a favorable assessment of the U.S. A slim majority (52%) of Mexicans also express positive opinions of the U.S.; 41% have an unfavorable view.

The U.S. receives its most negative ratings in the predominantly Muslim countries surveyed. Only about one-in-ten in Turkey (10%) and Pakistan (12%) have a favorable opinion of the U.S.; 13% in Jordan, 18% in the Palestinian territories and 20% in Egypt offer positive assessments. Opinions of the U.S. are more positive in Indonesia, where 54% have a favorable view, and Lebanon, where about half (49%) give the U.S. high marks. (For a more detailed analysis of America’s image in predominantly Muslim countries, including religious and sectarian divisions in Lebanon, see “Arab Spring Fails to Improve U.S. Image,” released May 17, 2011.)

Rating the American People

The American people continue to receive positive ratings in most of the countries surveyed. Majorities in 14 of 22 countries say they have a favorable opinion of Americans, including at least eight-in-ten in Japan (87%) and Kenya (81%).

Attitudes toward Americans are also overwhelmingly positive in Europe. Nearly eight-in-ten (78%) in France and about three-quarters in Poland (74%), Britain (73%) and Lithuania (73%) view the American people favorably. Seven-in-ten in Germany, 68% in Ukraine, 64% in Spain and 63% in Russia also express positive opinions of Americans.

Majorities in Israel (75%), Lebanon (62%), Brazil (58%) and Indonesia (52%) give Americans favorable ratings; in India, a 49%-plurality shares this view.

In five of the seven predominantly Muslim countries surveyed, however, few express positive opinions of the American people. This is especially the case in Turkey and Pakistan, where only 12% have a favorable opinion of Americans; 24% of Palestinians, 36% of Egyptians and 37% of Jordanians hold a positive view.

U.S. Unilateralism

The perception that the U.S. does not take the interests of other countries into account when making foreign policy decisions remains widespread. Only in Kenya (74%), Israel (67%), India (57%), China (57%), Germany (56%), Japan (51%) and Brazil (51%) do majorities say the U.S. takes a multilateral approach.

Germans are more likely than they were a year ago to say the U.S. considers their interests; 47% said that was the case in 2010. In the other Western European countries surveyed, fewer than half currently say the U.S. takes a multilateral approach, although this opinion is now more common in Britain than it was in 2010. Four-in-ten British say the U.S. considers other countries’ interests, compared with 35% a year ago. About a third (32%) in France and just 19% in Spain share this view, virtually unchanged from 2010.

Eastern Europeans also give the U.S. low ratings on this issue, and this is especially true in Lithuania and Ukraine. Just 9% of Lithuanians and 15% of Ukrainians say the U.S. considers the interests of countries like theirs when making foreign policy decisions; about a quarter (23%) in Russia and one-third in Poland share this view. Russians and Poles were more likely to say the U.S. took a multilateral approach a year ago (30% and 38%, respectively); in Ukraine, 28% said the U.S. considered their interests in 2007, when the question was last asked in that country.

The opinion that the U.S. acts multilaterally when making foreign policy decisions is also far less widespread in China; 57% say the U.S. takes their interests into account, compared with 76% in 2010. In contrast, Japanese respondents are much more likely to say the U.S. considers the interests of other countries than they were a year ago, when just 31% said that was the case.

In the predominantly Muslim countries surveyed, fewer than a quarter in Lebanon (23%), Jordan (23%), Egypt (21%), Pakistan (20%) and Turkey (17%) say the U.S. takes into account the interests of other countries. The U.S. receives more positive marks in Indonesia; 43% believe the U.S. takes a multilateral approach, but about half (49%) say the U.S. does not consider the interests of other countries when making foreign policy decisions.

Americans offer a much different assessment of their country’s approach to foreign policy than any other public surveyed. About three-quarters (76%) say the U.S. considers the interests of other countries around the world a great deal or a fair amount.

Cooperation With the U.S.

Majorities or pluralities in 11 of 21 nations are satisfied with the amount of cooperation between their countries and the U.S. In six countries, more say their government cooperates too much than say it cooperates about the right amount or too little. Only in Poland and Kenya would pluralities like to see more cooperation with the U.S.

About seven-in-ten (72%) in Germany, 65% in France and 59% in Spain say their governments cooperate about the right amount with the U.S. government. In Britain, however, a 45%-plurality believes their country cooperates too much with the U.S.; another 40% are satisfied with the amount of cooperation between the two countries and 10% say the British government does not cooperate enough with the U.S.

Opinions about cooperation with the U.S. are more mixed across the Eastern European countries surveyed. While a 45%-plurality in Poland believes their government does not cooperate with the U.S. enough, pluralities in Russia (45%) and Lithuania (42%) say their countries cooperate about the right amount. In Ukraine, the same number express satisfaction with the amount of cooperation between their country and the U.S. as say Ukraine does not cooperate enough (35% each); 9% say their country cooperates too much with the U.S. government.

In Mexico, 44% say their country cooperates too much with their neighbor to the north, while about a quarter say Mexico does not cooperate enough (25%) or that it cooperates about the right amount (27%) with the U.S.

Majorities in Jordan (57%), Lebanon (54%) and Pakistan (52%) and a plurality (39%) in Egypt believe their countries cooperate too much with the U.S. In Indonesia, however, a majority (54%) is satisfied with the amount of cooperation between their country and the U.S. Views are more mixed in Turkey, where the same number say there is too much cooperation with the U.S. as say there is not enough (26% each); 32% say their country cooperates with the U.S. about the right amount.

Views of U.S. Anti-Terrorism Efforts

Majorities in 14 of 22 countries support U.S.-led efforts to fight terrorism. This is especially the case in Kenya, where about three-quarters (77%) favor American anti-terrorism policies, and in Israel, where 72% share this view.

About seven-in-ten (71%) in France and two-thirds in Germany say they favor U.S. anti-terrorism efforts, as do about six-in-ten in Britain (59%) and Spain (58%). In Eastern Europe, majorities in Lithuania (61%), Poland (60%), Ukraine (55%) and Russia (53%) express support for the American anti-terrorism campaign, but far fewer in Russia and Poland do so compared with a year ago; seven-in-ten Russians and Poles said they favored U.S.-led efforts to fight terrorism in 2010.

Support for American anti-terrorism efforts has also declined considerably in China. Currently, about a quarter (23%) favor and 60% oppose U.S. efforts to combat terrorism. In 2010, Chinese respondents were nearly evenly split, with 41% expressing support and 40% saying they opposed these efforts.

Publics in the predominantly Muslim countries surveyed continue to give the U.S.-led anti-terrorism campaign low marks. Just 9% in Jordan, 14% in Turkey and 16% in Pakistan say they favor American efforts to fight terrorism; 21% in Egypt and 35% in Lebanon share this view. Indonesia is the only Muslim country surveyed where a majority (55%) expresses support for these efforts; in 2010, two-thirds of Indonesians favored U.S.-led efforts to fight terrorism.

War in Afghanistan

The war in Afghanistan remains unpopular in most of the countries surveyed. Majorities or pluralities in 17 of 22 countries believe U.S. and NATO troops should be withdrawn from Afghanistan as soon as possible. Only in Kenya, Israel, Japan, Spain and India do more say that these troops should remain in Afghanistan until the situation is stabilized than say troops should be removed.

Support for the war is especially low in predominantly Muslim countries. Nearly nine-in-ten (87%) Jordanians and at least three-quarters of Egyptians (78%) and Turks (75%) say troops should leave Afghanistan as soon as possible; about seven-in-ten in Indonesia (71%), Lebanon (71%) and Pakistan (69%) share this view.

Chinese respondents are also overwhelmingly in favor of troop withdrawal; 65% say U.S. and NATO troops should be removed as soon as possible, while just 9% believe these troops should stay in Afghanistan.

In France and Britain, where support for the war rebounded somewhat between fall 2009 and spring 2010, the balance of opinion is once again on the side of troop withdrawal. Nearly six-in-ten (58%) in France say the U.S. and NATO should remove troops from Afghanistan as soon as possible, while 41% favor keeping troops there; in 2010, French opinion was more mixed, with 52% saying troops should be withdrawn and 47% expressing support for keeping them in Afghanistan.

In Britain, 51% now say troops should leave Afghanistan and 41% believe U.S. and NATO troops should stay in that country; a year ago, 45% wanted troops to leave Afghanistan while about half (49%) favored keeping them there. Nearly six-in-ten (58%) Germans favor troop withdrawal, unchanged from a year ago.

In Spain, however, support for the war is now more widespread than it was in 2010. About half (51%) of Spanish respondents believe troops should remain in Afghanistan until the situation is stabilized; 44% say the U.S. and NATO should remove their troops as soon as possible. A year ago, fewer in Spain said troops should stay in Afghanistan than said they should be removed (43% vs. 49%).

For the first time since 2007, when the Pew Research Center first asked this question, more Americans say the U.S. and NATO should remove its troops from Afghanistan as soon as possible than say military troops should remain in that country until the situation has stabilized (52% vs. 41%). A survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted just days before Obama’s speech announcing his policy for drawing down U.S. forces in Afghanistan, finds even more support for troop withdrawal; 56% say troops should be removed from Afghanistan as soon as possible, while 39% say they should stay in that country. (For a more detailed analysis of Americans’ opinions about the war in Afghanistan, see “Record Number Favors Removing U.S. Troops from Afghanistan,” released June 21, 2011, by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press.)

 

[kawaraj]

Nice survey and analysis. Thank you.

It's only a matter of time as China become the leading power, and the world seem to quickly accept the change.

The US (especially military authority) should take practical approach and accept the development, Like it or not, you have to face it.

To the good cause of all human being, the US should start working with China as an equal partner right now to contribute a better future of humankind. Ignoring this will render a hardcore conflict in the future between the two and may bring the worst disaster ever.

(G2 has been promoted for a while by Washington, but China clearly indicates a G2 based on US value won't work)

 

[Way to go]

Why not accept G2, solve territory disputes (e.g. South China Sea), then leave G2?

 

[ChinaToday]

Chapter 3. Global Opinion of President Barack Obama

U.S. President Barack Obama remains popular in most parts of the world, and this is especially true in Western Europe, where large majorities express at least some confidence in the American president to do the right thing in world affairs. More than half in Lithuania, Poland, Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and Kenya also give Obama high marks. Publics in predominantly Muslim nations, however, continue to offer negative ratings of Obama, although Indonesia is a major exception.

As has been the case since he took office, opinions of how Obama handles specific international policies lag overall confidence in the U.S. president. In particular, Obama receives low marks for his handling of the situation in Afghanistan, Iran, and the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Assessments of the way Obama has dealt with the recent calls for political change in the Middle East and global economic problems are somewhat more positive.

It is of note that Obama gets better grades for dealing with the global economy in most nations surveyed than he does in the U.S. And the American president has managed to create a consensus between Israelis and Palestinians. Solid majorities among both publics disapprove of how he is dealing with their conflict.

Confidence in Obama

President Obama receives some of his most positive ratings in Western Europe. Nearly nine-in-ten (88%) Germans say they have at least some confidence in the U.S. president to do the right thing in world affairs, as do 84% in France, 75% in Britain and 67% in Spain. By comparison, 61% of Americans have confidence in Obama.

Majorities also express confidence in Obama in Kenya (86%), Japan (81%), Lithuania (68%), Brazil (63%), Indonesia (62%) and Poland (52%). Pluralities in India (48%) and China (44%) share this view.

Opinions of Obama are more mixed in Israel, as well as in Russia and Ukraine. About half (49%) of Israelis have at least some confidence in Obama when it comes to world affairs and about the same percentage (51%) has little or no confidence in the U.S. president. In Russia, about four-in-ten (41%) express confidence in Obama, while 43% do not. Among Ukrainians, 37% give Obama positive ratings, while slightly more (42%) say they have little or no confidence.

With the exception of Indonesians, publics in predominantly Muslim countries give Obama decidedly negative ratings. Just 8% in Pakistan, 12% in Turkey and 14% in the Palestinian territories have confidence in the American president to do the right thing in international affairs; 28% in Jordan and 35% in Egypt share this view. Opinions of Obama are somewhat more positive in Lebanon, where 43% express at least some confidence, but a majority (57%) in that country say they have little or no confidence in him. (For a more detailed analysis of views of Obama in predominantly Muslim countries, see “Arab Spring Fails to Improve U.S. Image,” released May 17, 2011.)

Mexicans also give Obama negative ratings; 38% have confidence in him when it comes to world affairs, while 54% say they have little or no confidence in the U.S. president. In 2010, Mexicans were evenly split, with 43% expressing confidence in Obama and the same percentage saying they lacked confidence in him.


Ratings of Obama have also declined since 2010 in Turkey (11 points percentage points), Britain (9 points), Kenya (9 points), Poland (8 points), China (8 points), Indonesia (5 points), and the U.S. (4 points); in the Palestinian territories and Israel, confidence in

Obama has dropped 9 and 7 percentage points, respectively, since 2009, when Palestinians and Israelis were last included in the Pew Global Attitudes survey

In contrast, more Brazilians and Japanese express confidence in Obama than did so a year ago. Confidence in Obama is up 7 percentage points in Brazil, a country the American president visited in March 2011. In Japan, where U.S. efforts to assist with the impact of the March earthquake and tsunami have been widely recognized, confidence in Obama is up 5 points.

Obama’s Handling of Middle East Protests and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Obama receives relatively positive ratings for his handling of the recent calls for political change in countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain and Libya.2 Majorities or pluralities in 10 of the 23 countries surveyed approve of the way Obama has dealt with the uprisings, including about seven-in-ten in France (70%) and Germany (69%) and at least six-in-ten in Kenya (64%) and Spain (63%).

Views of Obama’s handling of the recent protests in the Middle East are most negative in the Muslim countries surveyed, where majorities or pluralities are critical of his performance. Still, many in these countries approve of the way Obama has handled the uprisings. This is especially the case in Egypt and Lebanon; 45% of Egyptians and 41% of Lebanese approve of Obama’s handling of calls for political change, while 52% in each country disapprove.

In contrast, Obama receives some of his most negative ratings for his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Only in Kenya do more than half (51%) approve of Obama’s performance on this issue.

In Spain and France, majorities disapprove of Obama’s performance on this issue (58% and 54%, respectively), as does a plurality (42%) in Britain. Germans are nearly evenly divided; 45% approve and 42% disapprove of his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Disapproval of Obama’s performance has increased since last year in France, Spain, and Britain; 47%, 45% and 34%, respectively, gave the American president low marks for his handling of the conflict in 2010.

Palestinians are more critical than Israelis, but majorities among both publics (84% and 64%, respectively) disapprove of the way Obama is dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Elsewhere in the Middle East, at least eight-in-ten in Lebanon (85%), Jordan (82%) and Egypt (82%) disapprove of Obama’s handling of this issue.

Criticism of Iran and Afghanistan Policies

Opinions of the way Obama is dealing with Iran are largely negative across the world. France, Germany and Kenya are the only countries surveyed where a clear majority or plurality approves of Obama’s handling of Iran (53%, 48% and 44%, respectively).

In the Middle Eastern countries surveyed, majorities are critical of Obama’s handling of Iran. This is especially the case in the Palestinian territories and Jordan, where 80% and 77%, respectively, disapprove; 68% in Egypt and Turkey, 61% in Israel and 55% in Lebanon share this view.

Majorities in the other two predominantly Muslim countries surveyed, Indonesia and

Pakistan, also disapprove of the way Obama is dealing with Iran (56% and 52%, respectively). Six-in-ten in Russia, 56% in Mexico and 52% in China share this view, as do about half in Ukraine (49%) and Brazil (48%); just 11% of Ukrainians and 31% of Brazilians approve of Obama’s performance on Iran.

In the U.S., as well as in Spain, Britain, Japan and Poland, views of Obama’s handling of Iran are more mixed. For example, 41% of Americans approve and 45% disapprove of the president’s performance. In Spain, 45% approve and 43% disapprove of the way Obama is dealing with Iran; the same percentage of Poles approves as disapproves (35%).

Approval of Obama’s handling of Iran has declined over the past year in 7 of 18 countries for which trends are available. This is particularly the case in Kenya, Indonesia, Poland, and Russia, where the percentage approving of the president’s performance on this issue is down by double digits (14 percentage points in Kenya and Poland, 13 points in Indonesia and 11 points in Russia).

When asked about Obama’s handling of the situation in Afghanistan, only in Kenya does a majority (57%) give the president high marks.3 Opinions are mixed in the U.S and Western Europe; the same number of Americans approves as disapproves of Obama’s handling of Afghanistan (45% each), and the French (50% approve and 49% disapprove), Germans (49% and 46%) and Spanish (46% and 44%) are also nearly evenly divided. In Britain, somewhat more approve (44%) than disapprove (39%) of the way Obama is dealing with the situation in Afghanistan.

As is the case with other key policies in the Muslim world, views of Obama’s handling of Afghanistan are especially negative in predominantly Muslim countries. Nearly nine-in-ten (87%) Jordanians and at least three-quarters in the Palestinian territories (81%) and Egypt (76%) disapprove of the way Obama is dealing with the situation in Afghanistan; 71% in Lebanon and 70% in Turkey, as well as narrower majorities in Indonesia (56%) and Pakistan (55%) express similar views.

Mostly Good Grades on Global Economy

Majorities or pluralities in 12 of 23 countries surveyed approve of the way the U.S. president is dealing with global economic problems. Kenyans are particularly supportive; nearly eight-in-ten (78%) approve of Obama’s handling of the world economy.

In Western Europe, Germans express the most support for Obama’s handling of economic problems; about two-thirds (68%) approve of the president’s performance. Nearly six-in-ten (59%) in France and narrower majorities in Britain and Spain (52% each) share this view.

By comparison, four-in-ten Americans approve and about half (49%) disapprove of the way Obama is dealing with global economic problems.

Six-in-ten Lithuanians offer support for Obama’s handling of global economic problems. About half (48%) in Poland and 39% in Ukraine approve of the way the U.S. president is dealing with this issue; about a quarter in each country (26% and 25%, respectively) disapprove. In contrast, more in Russia disapprove (36%) than approve (32%) of Obama’s performance.

For the most part, publics in the predominantly Muslim countries surveyed are critical of the way Obama is dealing with the world economy. At least seven-in-ten in Jordan (76%) and Egypt (73%) disapprove of Obama’s performance, as do 66% in the Palestinian territories, 62% in Turkey, 53% in Lebanon and 51% in Pakistan. Only in Indonesia does a majority (65%) approve of Obama’s handling of global economic problems; 26% of Indonesians disapprove.

Views of Obama’s performance on the global economy are mixed in Israel, Mexico and China. In Israel, 44% approve and 43% disapprove of the way Obama is handling this issue. About four-in-ten (41%) Mexicans give Obama high marks for his handling of global economic problems, while about the same number (42%) are critical of the president. And in China, 35% approve and 38% disapprove. In contrast, 69% in Japan and 62% in Brazil approve of the way Obama is dealing with economic problems, as do 36% in India; 13% of Indians disapprove and 51% do not offer an opinion.

 

[ChinaToday]

Chapter 4. Views of China

China’s overall image is positive in most of the nations surveyed, with European views, in particular, improving over the past year. In Asia, opinion is mixed: majorities in Pakistan and Indonesia are favorably inclined toward China, while Indians tend to be uncertain about the region’s other growing economic powerhouse, and a majority of Japanese have a negative opinion of their neighbor to the west. Opinion of Chinese President Hu Jintao varies similarly among Asian publics.

Inside and outside Asia, however, reservations about China’s growing power persist, especially with regard to China’s military prowess. In most countries, majorities or pluralities view China’s increasing military might as a bad thing for their country. Fewer publics appear troubled by China’s economic growth. The prevailing view in more than half the surveyed nations is that China’s expanding economy benefits their own country.

China’s Image

In 16 of 22 nations, majorities or pluralities have a very or somewhat positive opinion of China. In only four countries do majorities express negative views of this emerging Asian power. European publics, in particular, are more favorably inclined toward China than they were last year.

Currently, half or more in Britain (59%), Spain (55%) and France (51%) view China favorably. Similar assessments prevail across Eastern Europe, where the percentage holding a positive opinion of China ranges from 51% in Poland to 63% each in Russia and Ukraine. American attitudes toward China, too, lean toward the positive, with roughly half (51%) expressing a favorable opinion of this Asian giant.

Within Europe, Germans stand out for their predominantly negative views of China. Only about a third (34%) have a favorable opinion of China, compared with nearly six-in-ten (59%) who hold an unfavorable view.

Among Western European countries, favorable opinion of China has risen over the past year. Positive views have increased 13 percentage points in Britain, 10 points in France, 8 points in Spain, and 5 points in Poland. Even in Germany, the proportion of people who hold a favorable opinion of China is up four percentage points.

In the Middle East, majorities in the Palestinian territories (62%), Lebanon (59%) and Egypt (57%) express positive views of China. Israelis, meanwhile, are divided (49% favorable, 46% unfavorable). In the region, only Jordanians are mostly skeptical, with 52% expressing an unfavorable opinion of China.

Opinion of China has ticked up slightly in Egypt (+5 percentage points) in the last year, and is up dramatically since 2009 in the Palestinian territories (+19 points). In Jordan, positive views of China have retreated 9 percentage points over the past year, while also sliding 7 points in Israel since 2009.

Further east, 82% of Pakistanis have a favorable opinion of their neighbor, likely reflecting the fact that an overwhelming number of people in Pakistan (87%) see China as a partner, rather than an enemy. (For more on Pakistani views of China and the U.S., see “U.S. Image in Pakistan Falls No Further Following bin Laden Killing,” released June 21, 2011.)

Elsewhere in Asia, assessments of China are mixed. While a majority (67%) of Indonesians are favorably inclined toward China, a nearly equal number of Japanese (61%) take a dim view of their regional rival. Indians tend to be wary of China (25% favorable vs. 35% unfavorable), although a large percentage (40%) do not offer a definite opinion.

Notably, opinion of China has improved over the past year, not only in Indonesia (+9 percentage points) but in Japan as well (+8 points). The latter increase is likely due to China offering aid to victims of the earthquake and tsunami that struck the northeast coast of Japan in March. (For more on Japanese views of the effect of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, see “Japanese Resilient, but See Economic Challenges Ahead,” released June 1, 2011.)

In Africa, most Kenyans (71%) are positively inclined toward China, although this is a substantial decline from 2010, when 86% expressed a favorable opinion of Asia’s rising power. In Latin America, publics are somewhat more circumspect: 49% of Brazilians say they have a favorable opinion of China, while just 39% of Mexicans say the same. Opinion in Brazil is little changed from last year; however, among Mexicans there has been a 15 percentage point increase in the number who have an unfavorable opinion of China.

Little Confidence in President Hu in Asia

Among the Asian publics asked, the image of China’s President Hu Jintao varies greatly. In keeping with their positive overall view of China, Pakistanis express the greatest trust in Hu, with six-in-ten saying they have at least some confidence in the Chinese leader to do the right thing regarding world affairs. Indonesians, meanwhile are ambivalent: Roughly four-in-ten (38%) say they have confidence in Hu, while just slightly fewer say they either lack confidence in him (30%) or are unsure (31%).

In Japan, just a quarter trust Hu to do the right thing in world affairs, while two-thirds lack confidence in the Chinese president. Among Indians, only 13% have confidence in Hu, compared with 26% who lack confidence, and fully 62% who do not know.

Views of China’s Military and Economic Power

Even in countries where overall opinions of China are favorable, many people express reservations about China’s growing military prowess. In only three of 21 countries do majorities believe a militarily more powerful China is a good thing for their country. By contrast, concern about China’s expanding economic reach is less widespread, with half or more in most nations describing a growing Chinese economy as beneficial to their country.

The prospect of the Chinese government modernizing and strengthening its military forces is unwelcome in most regions of the world. In Western Europe, publics are in strong agreement on this point. Upward of seven-in-ten in France (83%), Germany (79%), Spain (74%) and Britain (71%) believe China’s growing military might is a negative development. A large majority of Americans (79%), too, fail to see an upside to a more powerful Chinese military.

Meanwhile across Eastern Europe, majorities ranging from 57% in Ukraine to 74% in Russia describe an increasingly potent Chinese military as bad for their country. And in Turkey, nearly two-thirds (66%) react negatively to China’s increasing military prowess.

Across these countries, reactions toward China’s growing military power have held fairly steady since last year, although the number describing this as a bad thing has increased in Turkey (+8 percentage points), Spain (+8 points) and Germany (+7 points).

In the Middle East, publics tend to see China’s growing military might as a bad thing, including 66% of Israelis, 57% of Lebanese and 52% of Jordanians. A majority of Palestinians (62%), however, consider a more militarily powerful China to be a positive development. In Africa, an identical percentage of Kenyans (62%) agree with this assessment.

Overall, Pakistanis are the most welcoming of China’s growing military power, with fully 72% saying this is a good thing for their country. Elsewhere in Asia, 44% of Indonesians see this as a good thing for their country. Few Indians (22%) or Japanese (7%) express enthusiasm for a more militarily potent China.

In Latin America, both the Mexican and Brazilian publics tend to see an expanding Chinese military as a bad thing. In Mexico, 55% hold this view, up 9 percentage points from last year; in Brazil, 51% see it as a negative, up 11 points from a year ago.

In contrast to views of China’s military power, reactions to the country’s expanding economic influence are generally more favorable. Kenyans are the most upbeat, with 85% believing China’s growing economic might is a good thing for their country. In Asia, majorities in Pakistan (79%), Indonesia (62%) and even Japan (57%) agree. Only Indians appear skeptical: just 29% say China’s increasing economic reach is a good thing for their country, while 40% say it is a bad thing and about a third (32%) offer no definite opinion.

Sentiment among the Middle Eastern publics surveyed also tends to be positive. At least half in the Palestinian territories (66%), Jordan (65%), Lebanon (57%) and Israel (53%) believe an expanding Chinese economy is beneficial to their country.

With the exception of Britain and Spain, where slight majorities (53% and 52%, respectively) welcome China’s rising economic influence, Europeans tend to be circumspect about a more powerful Chinese economy. Just under half in Lithuania (47%) and Germany (46%) see an upside to China’s growing economic power, while roughly four-in-ten or fewer in France (41%), Russia (37%), Ukraine (37%) or Poland (32%) concur.

Compared with a year ago, however, Western European publics are considerably more optimistic about the benefits of an expanding Chinese economy. In Britain, France and Germany, the number who see China’s economic growth as a positive is up 9 percentage points in each country. Meanwhile, an even more dramatic shift has occurred in Spain, where the percentage saying China’s growing economy is a good thing has increased from 36% to 52% since 2010.

In the Western Hemisphere, less than half of Mexicans (39%) and Americans (37%) see a growing Chinese economy as a positive. More Brazilians (53%) believe their country benefits from China’s development as an economic power. Notably, in all three countries the percentage who say China’s expanding economy is a bad thing has ticked up – 9 percentage points each in Mexico and Brazil, and 6 points in the U.S.

Across the nations surveyed, Turks are the most skeptical about the impact of China’s growing economy – just 13% say this is a good thing, down slightly from last year.

 

[ChinaToday]

Chapter 5. Economic Issues

Despite signs that some countries are recovering from the Great Recession of 2008-2009, economic times remain tough for many around the world. In most of the nations surveyed, people are dissatisfied with the way things are going in their country and downbeat about their national economy. The few exceptions to this pattern include publics in China, Brazil and India. Although opinion is divided as to whether economic conditions will improve over the coming year, most publics continue to blame their own government, rather than banks or the United States, for their country’s current economic problems.

In nearly all nations, people describe rising prices and a lack of job opportunities as very big problems. Only in China, Israel and Germany do publics characterize inflation and job shortages as less pressing issues. When asked who is to blame for people not having jobs, majorities in most countries fault outside forces rather than the unemployed themselves.

Yet, despite economic concerns, public support for economic globalization appears strong, with majorities worldwide describing the expansion of international trade and business ties as a good thing.

Most Unhappy With Country Direction

Majorities in 18 of 23 surveyed countries are unhappy with their country’s direction. Dissatisfaction is most intense in Pakistan, where roughly nine-in-ten (92%) say they are displeased with the way things are going. Large majorities elsewhere also express discontent, including in Lebanon (87%), Ukraine (87%), the Palestinian territories (85%), Spain (83%) and Kenya (81%).

In the past year, the most dramatic increase in dissatisfaction has occurred in Poland, where 66% are now unhappy with the country’s direction, compared with 47% a year ago. Dissatisfaction has also intensified in several other countries, including the U.S., where discontent has swelled from 62% in 2010 to 73% today. Pakistanis and Spaniards, too, are less happy than last year. In fact, in Spain, dissatisfaction with the country’s direction is at its highest level (83%) since 2002.

Only in China (85%), Egypt (65%), Brazil (52%) and India (51%) do more than half express satisfaction with the way things are going in their country. The Chinese public has been consistently upbeat since 2005; Egyptians have not.

A year ago, just 28% of Egyptians were happy with the direction their country was headed. The 37-point jump in satisfaction compared with last year is most likely linked to renewed optimism, following the popular uprising that unseated Hosni Mubarak in February. (For a more detailed analysis of Egyptians’ views about their country’s direction, see “Egyptians Embrace Revolt Leaders, Religious Parties and Military, As Well,” released April 25, 2011.)

Economic Recovery Still Distant

In 18 of 23 nations, less than half describe the economic situation in their country as good. In the U.S., France, Britain, Lebanon and Pakistan fewer than one-in-five offer a positive assessment of the national economy. In Japan, Spain, Lithuania, and Ukraine, one-in-ten or fewer are upbeat about the economy.

Only in a handful of countries do majorities say the economic situation in their country is good. The Chinese public is the most positive, with nearly nine-in-ten (88%) describing the domestic economy as good. In Germany, two-thirds echo this view, while over half in India (56%), Israel (54%) and Brazil (54%) favorably assess the economic situation in their country. Turks, meanwhile, are evenly split on the issue: 49% say the national economy is good, compared with 48% who say it is bad.

Following the global downturn, public assessments of the economy have rebounded to a greater degree in Germany than in the U.S. or other Western European countries. The number of Germans who are upbeat about the economic situation in their country rose 16 percentage points between 2009 and 2010 and another 23 points in the past year. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Britain, France and Spain, confidence in the economy has yet to return to pre-2008 levels, and has even declined slightly in the U.S. and Britain compared with a year ago.

Besides Germany, economic assessments have also grown more positive in several other nations, including Israel (+22 percentage points from 2009), the Palestinian territories (+18 points from 2009) and Turkey (+15 points from 2010).

Egyptians, too, while still far more pessimistic than they were four years earlier, are more upbeat than they were in 2010, with 34% describing the economic situation in their country as good, compared with 20% the previous year. However, Egyptians’ improved opinion of the economy may reflect hopes for the future, more than actual changes on the ground.

Poland has witnessed the largest decline in economic confidence among the nations surveyed. A year ago, 53% of Poles described the economic situation in their country as good; today, just 26% hold this view. Double-digit declines have also taken place since last year in Kenya (-17 percentage points) and Indonesia (-12 points).

Uncertain Future

Across the globe, opinion varies as to whether economic conditions will improve in the near term. In 10 of 23 countries, majorities or pluralities believe the next 12 months will usher in better economic conditions. However, in the remaining nations, prevailing views are less optimistic, with most anticipating economic circumstances will either remain the same or worsen.

Publics in the emerging economies of China, Brazil and India are the most upbeat about economic change. In China, more than eight-in-ten (84%) believe the economic situation in their country will improve over the next 12 months. Since 2008, strong majorities of Chinese have consistently predicted better economic times ahead.

Almost as many Brazilians (79%) as Chinese anticipate economic improvements over the next 12 months. A substantial majority of Indians (60%) share this sense of optimism.

In Egypt, a majority (56%) is confident that the national economy will improve in the coming year. This is a huge shift in the Egyptian public’s outlook – in 2010, just 25% expressed confidence that better economic conditions would emerge in the near term.

Pluralities in Mexico (48%), Kenya (45%), Turkey (44%), the U.S. (42%), the Palestinian territories (39%) and Jordan (34%) also predict improved economic circumstances in the coming year. Turkish attitudes have brightened considerably – a year ago, just a quarter foresaw better economic times. By contrast, confidence in the economy’s future has fallen 14 points among Americans, dropping from 56% in spring 2010.

The prevailing view among Indonesians (47%), Russians (46%), Poles (45%), Israelis (44%), Lithuanians (43%) and Germans (42%) is that economic conditions will remain the same over the next 12 months. Elsewhere, pluralities anticipate that the economic situation in their country will actually worsen in the coming year. Some of the most pessimistic publics are found in Pakistan (60% worsen), France (52%) and Japan (52%).

Blame for Economic Troubles

Among those who describe economic conditions in their country as bad, most believe their own government is at fault – continuing a pattern seen in 2010. Finger-pointing at banks and other financial institutions is most prevalent in Western Europe, as it was last year. In general, more people continue to find fault with themselves, rather than the U.S., when it comes to bad economic times at home.

In countries where majorities say the economic situation is poor, the predominant view is that the national government is to blame. In places as far-ranging as Lebanon, Indonesia, Pakistan, Mexico, Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia, three-quarters or more who think economic conditions are bad point to government as either the primary or secondary reason. Roughly two-thirds or more in Britain, Jordan, France and Spain also fault their government.

The idea that banks and other financial institutions are to blame for struggling economies is especially popular among Europeans who report bad economic times at home. Majorities in Britain (75%), Spain (75%), Germany (68%), France (65%) and Lithuania (60%) fault banks and related institutions for economic problems. In Spain, the percentage holding banks responsible has increased 9 percentage points from 2010, while it has held steady in Britain and slipped in France and Germany (down 5 and 9 points, respectively).

In general, relatively few people hold the U.S. responsible for the economic misfortunes of their country. Only in the Palestinian territories do as many as half of those describing their economy as poor point the finger at the U.S. (51%). Smaller numbers blame the U.S. in Jordan (39%), Turkey (32%) and Pakistan (29%), while just one-in-five or fewer in the other surveyed nations say the U.S. is culpable for their country’s economic troubles. The percentage blaming the U.S. is actually down in 6 of 15 nations, for which there are comparable data from 2010. In only one country, Turkey, do substantially more people point to the U.S. as the cause of their country’s economic problems (32% today vs. 24% in 2010).

Roughly half or more in Brazil (58%), Indonesia (49%), Kenya (49%), India (48%), and Lebanon (45%) blame themselves for the bad economic situation in their country. Fewer elsewhere share this view, but overall, more tend to fault themselves rather than the U.S. In Kenya, compared with last year, there has been a 10-point increase in the number of people holding themselves responsible for their country’s economic troubles. In Germany the percentage has risen 8 percentage points and in Russia 7 points.

Many Worried About Prices and Jobs

Rising prices and a lack of job opportunities are significant concerns in nearly all the countries surveyed. In most cases, worries about inflation and jobs track relatively closely.

In 19 0f 22 nations, most people say rising prices are a very big problem, including overwhelming majorities in Pakistan (97%), Kenya (93%), Lebanon (89%), Lithuania (86%), the Palestinian territories (83%) and Indonesia (81%). Even in some countries where publics are generally content, large numbers worry about inflation. In India and Brazil, for example, roughly eight-in-ten (83% and 79%, respectively) describe rising prices as a very big problem.

Inflation worries are closely coupled with concerns about unemployment. In the same countries where majorities see rising prices as a pressing issue, half or more also say a lack of job opportunities is a very big problem. In several Western nations, however, worries about job shortages significantly trump apprehensions about price increases.

By wide margins, more in Spain, the U.S. and Britain say a lack of jobs is a very big problem, than say the same about rising prices. More among the French also think jobs, rather than prices, are a very big concern, although by a smaller margin (10 points).

Only a few publics appear relatively unworried about inflation and unemployment. In Germany about a third describe rising prices (32%) and a lack of jobs (33%) as very big problems.

In China, somewhat more than a third (37%) say unemployment is a major concern, compared with nearly half (49%) who are anxious about price increases, while in Israel slightly less than half see prices (47%) or a shortage of jobs (43%) as huge problems.

When asked separately why unemployed people in their country are without jobs, publics in the surveyed nations hesitate to place the blame on the jobless themselves. Across regions, less than half say it is the fault of unemployed people that they are without work. People in Israel (47%), Indonesia (46%) and India (45%) place the greatest responsibility on individuals for being unemployed. In about half of the surveyed countries, a quarter or less place the blame on the jobless themselves, including in Western countries such as Germany (25%), Britain, (22%) and the U.S. (18%).

Across the globe, far more blame forces outside the control of the unemployed for their jobless status. This view is most widespread in Spain (91%), France (88%), Kenya (80%), the U.S. (77%), the Palestinian territories (76%) and Lithuania (75%).

Despite widespread feelings of economic malaise, and specific worries about inflation and unemployment, publics in the nations surveyed see increased international trade and business ties as a good thing. However, not everywhere do people feel as strongly about the benefits of such ties.

Majorities in all parts of the globe say growing international trade and business ties is a good thing for their country. Roughly nine-in-ten or more share this view in Lebanon (97%), Spain (96%), Israel (95%), Germany (95%), Kenya (91%), Lithuania (91%) and China (89%). Public enthusiasm for trade is especially notable in Lebanon, Spain and Kenya – all countries where large majorities are unhappy with both their country’s direction and the domestic economy. In the other nations surveyed, no less than two-thirds endorse expanded trade and business ties with other countries.

While overall views of international trade are positive across regions, the intensity of support varies by country. In Spain (58%), Kenya (58%) and Pakistan (56%) majorities say trade is very good for their country. Roughly half in Lebanon (50%), Turkey (48%), India (48%) and Lithuania (47%) concur. By contrast, just 14% of Brazilians and 18% of Americans think increased trade and business ties with other nations are very good for their country.

In China, just a quarter believe international trade is very good for their country, up slightly from 2010. The percentage describing trade as very good jumped 25 percentage points in Spain between 2010 and 2011.

 

[ChinaToday]

Chapter 6. Views of Iran

Opinions of Iran remain largely unfavorable across much of the world, and in some predominantly Muslim countries, higher numbers express negative views of the Islamic Republic this year than in previous years.

Majorities or pluralities in 17 of 23 countries express an unfavorable opinion of Iran, including most of those surveyed in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon, although Lebanese views are sharply divided along religious and sectarian lines.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continues to receive largely negative reviews in Muslim nations. Majorities in Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories lack confidence in him to do the right thing in world affairs. However, in Pakistan and Indonesia, opinions of Ahmadinejad are on balance positive.

In most of the predominantly Muslim nations polled, there is considerable opposition to the acquisition of nuclear weapons by Iran, and concerns about Iran’s nuclear program have increased this year in Jordan and the Palestinian territories. Only in Pakistan does a majority express support for Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Not surprisingly, Israelis overwhelmingly oppose a nuclear-armed Iran.

Iran’s Image Largely Negative

Majorities in the United States and Western Europe express negative views of Iran, including more than three-in-four in Germany (86%), Spain (82%), and France (78%), and two-thirds in the U.S. (67%). A smaller majority in Britain (58%) shares this opinion.

Views of Iran are more mixed across Eastern Europe. Russians, on balance, have a favorable view of Iran, while Ukrainians are evenly divided. Majorities express a negative opinion in Poland (56%) and Lithuania (65%).

Roughly nine-in-ten Israelis (92%) have an unfavorable opinion of Iran, although among Israel’s minority Arab community, views are divided, with 45% expressing a positive and 44% a negative opinion.

Iran receives mostly negative marks in four of the seven predominantly Muslim nations polled: Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon. Opinions are evenly divided in the Palestinian territories, where roughly half (49%) have a favorable view of Iran, while the same percentage have a negative opinion. Pakistan (71%) and Indonesia (58%) are the only countries where majorities express favorable opinions of the Islamic Republic.

Both Egyptians and Jordanians have become increasingly negative in their views of Iran over the last few years. A majority of Egyptians had a favorable view of Iran in 2006 (59%), but currently only 22% hold this view, down from 33% last year.

A similar decline has taken place in Jordan. About half (49%) of Jordanians expressed a positive view of Iran in 2006, however just 23% now express this opinion.

In Lebanon, roughly one-in-four Lebanese Christians (26%) have a positive view, while just 12% of Sunni Muslims assign a favorable rating to the largely Shia Islamic Republic. Lebanese Shia Muslims, however, voice overwhelmingly positive views of Iran – 84% have a favorable opinion.

Views of Iran’s Leader

Majorities in five of the seven predominantly Muslim nations surveyed – Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and the Palestinian territories – express little or no confidence in Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Moreover, ratings for Ahmadinejad have fallen significantly since last year in Egypt and Jordan. Nearly three-in-ten Egyptians (28%) expressed confidence in him last year, compared with just 18% today. Among Jordanians, confidence in Ahmadinejad declined from 32% to 23%.

As is the case with overall ratings for Iran, public opinion in Lebanon about Ahmadinejad remains divided along sectarian and religious lines. Nearly nine-in-ten (86%) Shia Muslims have confidence in the Iranian president, compared with only 18% of Christians and just 9% of Sunnis.

Ahmadinejad receives his most favorable reviews in Indonesia and Pakistan, where on balance, he gets positive ratings. Roughly half of Indonesians (48%) have a lot or some confidence in him, while 28% lack confidence. In Pakistan, 40% express confidence; 16% lack confidence; and fully 44% offer no opinion.

Israelis give the Iranian president his worst ratings – overall, 95% of Israelis say they have not too much or no confidence that Ahmadinejad will do the right thing in world affairs. This view is shared by 73% of Israeli Arabs.

Opposition to Iran’s Nuclear Program

In nearly every predominantly Muslim country polled there is widespread opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. More than six-in-ten Lebanese (64%), Egyptians (63%) and Turks (65%) oppose the idea of a nuclear-armed Iran. Only in Pakistan does a majority of respondents (61%) support Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Lebanese public opinion once again reflects wide sectarian and religious differences. Support for Iran’s nuclear program stands at 78% among the Shia community, compared with just 23% of Christians and 6% of Sunnis.

Fully 93% of Israelis oppose Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. Among the country’s Arab community, 58% oppose this idea, while 25% favor a nuclear-armed Iran and 17% give no opinion.

 

[ChinaToday]

Chapter 7. Ratings of World Leaders

In most parts of the world, publics continue to express more confidence in U.S. President Barack Obama than in key European leaders tested in the survey. As in previous surveys, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is popular in European countries, but not well-known in the rest of the world. French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev are generally less popular than Merkel in Western Europe, but also virtually unknown in many other countries surveyed. Meanwhile, Saudi King Abdullah is well-regarded in most of the predominantly Muslim nations surveyed, and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is valued for his foreign policy leadership in India, but inspires far less confidence in neighboring China and Pakistan.



Confidence in Merkel

Majorities in all six European Union member states polled have confidence in German Chancellor Angela Merkel to do the right thing regarding world affairs. Overall, majorities or pluralities in 11 of the 21 countries where the question was asked express at least some confidence in the German leader.

Confidence in Merkel is highest in France where, as was the case last year, she is even more popular than she is at home. She is also more popular in France than French President Sarkozy. Eight-in-ten French express at least some confidence in the German chancellor to do the right thing in international affairs.

Support for Merkel is also high in her home country and in Spain (69% each). This represents a significant increase in Spanish support for the German leader, up 12 percentage points since 2010. In Britain, 64% voice confidence in Merkel, up from six-in-ten in 2010 and roughly half (51%) in 2009.

Opinions of Merkel are also positive in Lithuania, where over six-in-ten (64%) have a favorable view. In Poland, a slim majority (51%) have at least some confidence in the chancellor, down from the 58% voicing such support in 2010.

Pluralities in Ukraine (49%), Russia (47%), the U.S. (46%) and Kenya (41%) have confidence in the German leader, although nearly three-in-ten in all four nations do not offer an opinion.

Outside of Europe, Merkel maintains her strongest support in Israel, where a 57%-majority expresses a lot or some confidence in her to do the right thing regarding world affairs. This contrasts with 2009, when Israeli views of Merkel were divided (48% confident vs. 48% not confident).

Elsewhere in the Middle East, negative views of Chancellor Merkel are more pervasive, with majorities in the Palestinian territories (71%), Jordan (67%), and Lebanon (60%) having not much or no confidence in the German leader to do the right thing in world affairs. Merkel is even more unpopular in Turkey, where more than three-quarters (77%) voice little or no confidence in her.

Confidence in the German leader has declined in China less than a year after a well-publicized visit by Merkel to bolster trade ties. Only three-in-ten Chinese express confidence in the German leader, down 10 percentage points since 2010.

Elsewhere, many offer no opinion about Merkel. Pluralities in India (66%), Pakistan (59%) and Indonesia (41%) said they could not assess her ability to handle world affairs.

Confidence in Sarkozy

As in previous surveys, European Union publics express far less confidence in French President Nicolas Sarkozy than in German Chancellor Merkel. In fact, there is no European nation, including France, where a majority has confidence in the French leader. And majorities or pluralities in only four of the 23 countries surveyed voice at least some confidence in the French president to do the right thing in international affairs.

Among the EU nations surveyed, President Sarkozy garners the most confidence in his home country. Nevertheless, opinions are closely divided – about half (48%) have confidence in their leader when it comes to doing the right thing in global affairs, while 52% express not much or no confidence. Around four-in-ten in Britain (44%), Germany (44%), Spain (41%) and Lithuania (38%) express confidence in President Sarkozy regarding international affairs. In Poland, only 35% have confidence, a striking 17 percentage point decline from the 52%-majority saying the same in 2010.

Pluralities in Japan (48%), the U.S. (45%), and Kenya (40%) have confidence in the French leader. Japanese opinion of President Sarkozy is up sharply (+11 percentage points) from 2010 when less than four-in-ten (37%) had at least some confidence in France’s president.

As was the case in previous surveys, a majority of Lebanese have confidence in Sarkozy, albeit a slim one (51%). Elsewhere in the Middle East, negative views of the French president are more prevalent. Majorities in Egypt (71%), Jordan (70%), the Palestinian territories (67%), and Israel (55%) have not much or no confidence in Sarkozy when it comes to global affairs.

As in previous years, hardly any Turks (1%) express confidence in the French president, with eight-in-ten voicing little or no confidence in him.

In Brazil, only about two-in-ten (22%) have confidence in President Sarkozy, down 9 percentage points from 2010. A similar number of Brazilians (23%) do not offer an opinion. Even larger proportions in India (65%), Pakistan (63%), Mexico (42%) and Indonesia (39%) express no view of the French leader.

Views of Medvedev

Confidence in Russian President Dmitri Medvedev to do the right thing in world affairs is relatively low across the countries surveyed, with the exceptions of his home country and neighboring Ukraine. Seven-in-ten Russians have confidence in their president, while 58% of Ukrainians have a lot or some confidence in the Russian president regarding international affairs.

Meanwhile, Russian views toward Prime Minister (and former president) Vladimir Putin are also largely positive: three-quarters have at least some confidence in Putin to do the right thing regarding world affairs; just 19% lack confidence in their prime minister.

Elsewhere in Europe, majorities or pluralities in all six EU member states surveyed express not too much or no confidence in Medvedev. Confidence in Medvedev has declined significantly in Poland (-12 percentage points) and Germany (-8 percentage points) since last year.

Similarly negative views of Medvedev are widespread across the Middle East, with significant majorities in Jordan (76%), the Palestinian territories (75%), Israel (69%), and Lebanon (58%) lacking confidence in the Russian leader.

Turks have consistently expressed little confidence in President Medvedev, with fewer than one-in-ten (7%) currently saying they have a lot or some confidence in the Russian president to do the right thing in the world.

In Russia’s largest neighbor, China, a slim plurality (40%) expresses confidence in the Russian president, with about three-in-ten having little or no confidence (31%) or not offering an opinion (29%). Elsewhere in Asia, many in India (61%) and Pakistan (50%) do not express an opinion of Medvedev.

In Latin America, opinion of the Russian leader is negative, with nearly six-in-ten Brazilians (57%) and half of Mexicans saying they lack confidence in Medvedev.

Views of Saudi King Abdullah

Majorities in five of the seven predominantly Muslim publics surveyed have at least some confidence in Saudi King Abdullah to do the right thing regarding international affairs. Over six-in ten in Jordan (87%), Egypt (78%), Pakistan (72%), Indonesia (63%) and the Palestinian territories (62%) have a lot or some confidence in the Saudi leader.

Views are more mixed in Lebanon, with 44% expressing confidence in the Saudi king and 54% saying they have not too much or no confidence. However, opinions about King

Abdullah, a Sunni Muslim ruling predominantly Sunni Saudi Arabia, split sharply along religious and sectarian lines. Only 23% of Lebanese Shia Muslims have confidence in him, while more than six-in-ten Sunni Muslims (61%) voice confidence in the Saudi leader to do the right thing regarding international affairs. Lebanese Christians are almost evenly divided; 48% express confidence, while 51% lack confidence.

The Saudi king is less well-regarded in Turkey, where about one-in-ten (13%) say they have confidence in Abdullah; nearly two-thirds (66%) voice little or no confidence. In Israel, only 7% say they have a lot or some confidence in the king, with nine-in-ten saying they lack confidence in his ability to do the right thing regarding world affairs.

Views of Singh

In his home country, an overwhelming majority (80%) express confidence in Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s ability to handle world affairs.

However, views of Singh are negative in neighboring Pakistan and China, where 69% and 42% respectively express a lack of confidence in the Indian Prime Minister.

Outside of mainland Asia, nearly four-in-ten in Japan (39%) and Indonesia (37%) do not offer an opinion of the Indian leader.

 

[ChinaToday]

Chapter 8. Rating Countries and Institutions

Overall, both the United Nations and European Union receive largely positive ratings, although there are a few countries where these organizations are seen in a negative light. Across the 23 nations surveyed, a median percentage of 54% offer a favorable opinion of the UN; a median of 51% express a positive view of the EU.

However, while ratings for the EU remain generally positive, its image has declined since last year, and it receives especially low ratings in key Arab nations such as Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinian territories.

And in Turkey – a country whose ambitions to join the EU have met with resistance from some European leaders – just 23% give the organization a favorable rating. However, the EU is not alone in this regard – the other nations and organizations tested also receive some of their lowest ratings in Turkey. Also, Turkey is the only NATO member state surveyed in which a majority has a negative opinion of the military alliance.

Russia gets mixed reviews among its European neighbors, receiving its highest marks in Ukraine and its lowest ratings in Poland. On balance, Americans offer positive assessments of their former Cold War rival.

The most negative ratings for Russia are found in Israel, where roughly seven-in-ten (69%) express an unfavorable opinion. And, with a potential UN Security Council debate over Palestinian statehood looming, Israelis also give the UN its lowest rating – again, about seven-in-ten (69%) express a negative view. However, an almost equal number of Palestinians (67%) also give the UN an unfavorable rating.

The United Nations

Overall, the UN receives positive ratings in the nations polled – majorities or pluralities in 16 of 23 countries express a positive view of the organization.

It gets particularly high marks among EU member states. At least 66% have a favorable opinion of the UN in France, Britain, Germany, Spain, Poland and Lithuania.

Roughly six-in-ten Americans express a favorable view, although there are significant partisan differences on this issue – 71% of Democrats give the organization a positive rating, compared with 58% of independents and 51% of Republicans.

The UN gets especially positive reviews in Kenya (86%) and Indonesia (79%). The most negative ratings are found in the Middle East. Roughly seven-in-ten Israelis (69%) assign an unfavorable rating, as do 67% of Palestinians and 64% of Jordanians. However, most Lebanese (65%) and Egyptians (54%) express a positive opinion of the organization.

Positive assessments of the UN have become more common in Japan over the last year, jumping from 45% to 61%. This may be tied in part to assistance provided by the UN following the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Roughly half of those surveyed in Japan (49%) say the UN provided either a great deal or a fair amount of assistance to Japan following the tragedy. (For more on Japanese views regarding international assistance, see “Japanese Resilient, but See Economic Challenges Ahead,” released June 1, 2011.)

Favorable ratings for the UN have become notably less common since 2009 in China (-18 percentage points), Mexico (-14), Jordan (-9), Pakistan (-7), and Israel (-4).

The European Union

The EU continues to receive largely positive ratings, especially among the EU members states included in the survey. Solid majorities in Lithuania (78%), Poland (74%), Spain (72%), Germany (66%), and France (63%) have a positive opinion of the organization, while enthusiasm is somewhat more muted in Britain (51% favorable, 41% unfavorable).

A slim majority (55%) of Americans express a positive view of the EU, while 22% express an unfavorable view and 23% offer no opinion. The organization gets its highest ratings among independents (63% favorable), followed by Democrats (55%) and Republicans (46%).

While its ratings are still generally positive, the overall image of the EU has declined somewhat over the last year, with favorable ratings dropping in 13 of the 20 countries where trends from 2010 are available. The decline has been especially notable in China (-15 percentage points), Indonesia (-13), and Kenya (-13).

The organization gets its lowest ratings in parts of the Muslim world. Majorities in the Arab nations of Jordan (71%), the Palestinian territories (63%), and Egypt (62%) express a negative view of the EU.

And in Turkey, 64% say they have an unfavorable opinion of the organization. As negotiations regarding Turkey’s ascension into the EU have stalled in recent years, Turks have become less enthusiastic about eventual EU membership. A slim majority (52%) still wants their country to become a member, but support is down considerably from 2005, when roughly two-thirds (68%) held this view. (For more on Turkish views regarding the EU, see “On Eve of Elections, a More Upbeat Mood in Turkey,” released June 7, 2011.)

NATO

Opinions of NATO continue to be largely positive among the organization’s member states. At least six-in-ten give NATO a favorable rating in Poland (72%), France (70%), Lithuania (65%), Britain (63%), Spain (62%), and Germany (60%), as does a 54%-majority of Americans.

There is one clear exception to this pattern, however. In Turkey – the only predominantly Muslim country in the military alliance – only 18% have a positive opinion of NATO, while 64% give a negative assessment.

In the two non-member states where this question was asked –the former Soviet republics Russia and Ukraine – opinions about NATO are on balance negative. Only 37% of Russians and 34% of Ukrainians give it a positive rating.

Germany

Across the European nations surveyed, Germany receives strongly positive ratings. More than three-quarters express a favorable opinion of Germany in fellow EU members France (90%), Spain (85%), Lithuania (82%), Britain (78%), and Poland (76%).

Germany gets similarly high ratings in Russia and Ukraine (78% favorable in both countries).

Germans themselves are actually a little less likely to see their country in a favorable light – 73% express a positive opinion.

Opinions about Germany have basically held steady over the last year, although favorable ratings are up by seven percentage points in Spain and six points in Britain.

Russia

Majorities or pluralities express a favorable view of Russia in 8 of 22 countries. By far, Russia receives its most positive reviews in Ukraine (84% favorable), including favorable ratings from both ethnic Russians (94%) and ethnic Ukrainians (82%).

In the other former Soviet republic surveyed, Lithuania, a much smaller majority (53%) assigns a positive rating. And in Poland, a former Eastern bloc nation, just 35% have a positive view, down from 45% last year.

Among Western European nations, opinions are fairly evenly divided in France, Germany and Spain, while the British are on balance positive (50% favorable, 31% unfavorable).

Americans are also on balance favorably disposed toward Russia, with 49% offering a positive view and 32% a negative one.

Attitudes toward Russia tend to be negative in the predominantly Muslim nations surveyed, especially in Jordan, the Palestinian territories, and Egypt, where more than six-in-ten have an unfavorable view. The exception to this pattern is Lebanon – a slim 53%-majority of Lebanese say they have a positive opinion of Russia.

Israelis offer the most negative assessments of Russia among the nations surveyed – just 29% have a favorable opinion, while roughly seven-in-ten (69%) express an unfavorable view of Russia.

Ratings are also generally negative in Japan (28% favorable, 62% unfavorable). In neighboring China, however, a 47%-plurality holds a positive view of Russia.

 

[gubbi]

Views of Saudi King Abdullah

Majorities in five of the seven predominantly Muslim publics surveyed have at least some confidence in Saudi King Abdullah to do the right thing regarding international affairs. Over six-in ten in Jordan (87%), Egypt (78%), Pakistan (72%), Indonesia (63%) and the Palestinian territories (62%) have a lot or some confidence in the Saudi leader.

Views are more mixed in Lebanon, with 44% expressing confidence in the Saudi king and 54% saying they have not too much or no confidence. However, opinions about King

Abdullah, a Sunni Muslim ruling predominantly Sunni Saudi Arabia, split sharply along religious and sectarian lines. Only 23% of Lebanese Shia Muslims have confidence in him, while more than six-in-ten Sunni Muslims (61%) voice confidence in the Saudi leader to do the right thing regarding international affairs. Lebanese Christians are almost evenly divided; 48% express confidence, while 51% lack confidence.

The Saudi king is less well-regarded in Turkey, where about one-in-ten (13%) say they have confidence in Abdullah; nearly two-thirds (66%) voice little or no confidence. In Israel, only 7% say they have a lot or some confidence in the king, with nine-in-ten saying they lack confidence in his ability to do the right thing regarding world affairs.

Views of Singh

In his home country, an overwhelming majority (80%) express confidence in Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s ability to handle world affairs.

However, views of Singh are negative in neighboring Pakistan and China, where 69% and 42% respectively express a lack of confidence in the Indian Prime Minister.

Outside of mainland Asia, nearly four-in-ten in Japan (39%) and Indonesia (37%) do not offer an opinion of the Indian leader.

This is yet another example of statistics being used in a very biased manner. Readers are being misled into believing that the numbers 1 in 4 is quite higher than its counterpart.

Like statisticians say, "give me data and tell me what to prove."

 

[PteX]

China might surpass US economy eventually but unlike China that has near 1.34 Billion civilians and growing, US has near 320 Million.
China will overtake US when it has 4 times US economy. Unless they feel like using the money on defense instead of their own civilians.