Despite an initial outpouring of support for America after last year's terrorist attacks, discontent with the United States has grown around the world over the past two years. The U.S. image has been tarnished in all types of nations: among NATO allies, in developing countries, in Eastern Europe and, most dramatically, in Muslim societies.
The slipping U.S. image is one of the major findings of "What the World Thinks in 2002," an in-depth survey by the Pew Research Center of more than 38,000 people in 44 countries. The poll examines how people feel about their lives, their countries and global conditions at the end of 2002. It also presents public views of the United States, as well as its foreign policy, values and culture.
Despite rising criticism of the U.S., those views remain generally favorable, outside of the Muslim nations of the Middle East and Central Asia. America is still rated positively by majorities in most countries surveyed. People around the world embrace things American, even as they decry U.S. influence on their society. But there is deep concern over a potential war with Iraq: a follow-up six-nation survey found huge majorities in France, Germany and Russia opposed to the use of force in Iraq; more than eight-in-ten in Turkey oppose allowing U.S. forces to use bases in their country.
The survey, the first major report of the Pew Global Attitudes Project, finds that people in almost every nation are dissatisfied with world conditions. The spread of AIDS and other diseases is judged the top global problem, followed by religious and ethnic violence and nuclear weapons. In all but a handful of countries, people also are dissatisfied with the state of their own countries. Deprivation is common outside the advanced economies, especially in Africa. Yet majorities in many developing countries hold out hope their children's lives will be better.
To view our new poll, please see our website: <http://www.people-press.org>