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World Opinion Grows More |
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Surveys in 21 countries, Majorities in 16 of 21 countries see Bush re-election as negative for world security; animosity grows towards American people as well as government |
Summary
Highlights The results indicate some traditional US allies are most negative about Bush's reelection including all western European countries polled—Germany (77% negative), France (75%), Britain (64%), though Italy is by comparison moderate at 54 percent negative. Those with strongly negative opinions also include Canada (67%) and Australia (61%). Japan, however, is noncommittal, with a plurality negative (39%), compared to 15 percent positive, but about a third (31%) saying it makes no difference 31%. The surveys recorded majorities of negative opinion in Islamic countries and Latin America as well. In Turkey, although nominally a US ally, an overwhelming 82 percent are negative about Bush’s reelection—the highest of all countries polled. Also negative are Indonesia (68%), and Lebanon (64%). In Central and South America, which has not been a high-profile focus of U.S. policy, Argentines are 79 percent negative, as are 78 percent of Brazilians, 62 percent of Chileans and 58 percent of Mexicans. Others with majorities considering the re-elction a negative for world security include Chine (56%), South Korea (54%), and South Africa. In Russia, as in Japan, a plurality but not majority consider the re-election in negative terms, 39 to 16 percent. Only in two countries do majorities feel good about President Bush's re-election. Strong majorities of Filipinos and Indians - 63 and 62 percent respectively - consider the re-election a positive step for world security. In Poland, a plurality but not majority (44%) view the re-election in positive terms. The survey results suggest that Bush's re-election is causing publics overseas to reconsider their feelings towards Americans as a people. Asked how Bush’s election has affected their feelings toward the American people, on average, 42 percent said it made them feel worse toward the American people, while 25 percent said it made them feel better and 23 percent said it had no effect. Countries varied widely. In seven countries clear majorities said that it made them feel worse - especially Turkey (72%), France (65%), Brazil (59%) and Germany (56%). In only two did a majority say it has made them feel better (the Philippines 78% and India 65%). In three countries most said that it has had no effect on their feelings toward the American people - Russia (66%), Japan (62%), and Poland (55%). While President Bush's second inaugural speech focused on the need for U.S. leadership to end tyranny in the world, the survey results suggest a large segment of the world's public does not consider the U.S. ready to take on that role. On average almost half (47%) say they now view US influence in the world as mostly negative while a somewhat smaller number (38%) view it as mostly positive and 15 percent did not answer either way. In 12 countries a majority see US influence as mostly negative, with large majorities in Argentina (65%), Germany (64%), Russia (63%), Turkey (62%), Canada (60%), and Mexico (57%). None of the countries surveyed record anywhere near majority (or even plurality) support for sending troops to Iraq to help the U.S. On average some seven in 10 are opposed to sending their troops to Iraq. Majority opposition to sending troops to Iraq even surfaced in the Philippines (58%) and Poland (60%) which felt positive about Bush's re-election. The research included a comparison sample of 1,000 Americans. The survey found a majority (56%) of Americans expressing the view that Bush's reelection is positive for world security, with four in 10 (39%) calling it negative. Some seven in 10 (71%) say that the US is having a mostly positive influence in the world, with a quarter of Americans (25%) saying it is mostly negative.
Survey details: More details about the survey, including its methods, may be found on the PIPA Web site. |
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