Survey of 44 nations shows growing discontent over U.S.

[Rokenn]

Survey of 44 nations shows growing discontent over U.S.
Smaller poll reveals conflicting opinions on Iraq
Wednesday, December 4, 2002 Posted: 3:08 PM EST (2008 GMT)

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Discontent with the United States has grown around the world in the past two years but there is still widespread goodwill toward the country and its citizens, according to a survey released Wednesday.

The Pew Research Center conducted the survey of more than 38,000 people in 44 countries, called "What the World Thinks in 2002."

The survey found that since 2000, favorable ratings for the United States have fallen in 20 of the 27 countries for which the previous data was available. But in 17 of those 20 countries, a majority of people still viewed the United States favorably.

The survey highlighted conflicting attitudes about the United States. People around the world said they embrace American culture but decried U.S. influence on their societies. American unilateralism was criticized, though the U.S.-led war on terrorism enjoyed wide support outside the Muslim world.

On other topics, the spread of disease was named the top global problem in more countries than any other international threat. Fear of religious and ethnic violence ranked second, with nuclear weapons running third.

People in the United States, Canada and Western Europe expressed a greater satisfaction with their lives than did people in Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa.

Canada, Uzbekistan and Vietnam were the only countries in which a majority of respondents had a favorable view of their nation's condition. Vietnam was the only country in which a majority of respondents -- 51 percent -- said they had a positive view of the state of the world.

A separate survey of people in the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and Turkey found a split in opinion on whether and by what means Iraqi President Saddam Hussein should be removed from power.

Large majorities in France, Germany and Russia said they opposed the use of force to remove Saddam, but majorities in all three countries said they considered Iraq a "great" or "moderate" danger. British respondents were evenly split on using force to remove Saddam, and 62 percent of Americans favored it.

An overwhelming majority of Turks surveyed said they opposed allowing the United States and its allies to use bases in Turkey for military action against Iraq.

Majorities of those surveyed in France, Germany and Russia said they thought a desire on the United States' part to control Iraqi oil, not the belief that Iraq is a threat, would be the reason behind any U.S. military action against Baghdad. Forty-four percent of British respondents agreed.

Two-thirds of Americans surveyed said the United States is willing to use force because it believes Iraq is a threat.

[Ronn_Bman]

Originally posted by Rokenn: Survey of 44 nations shows growing discontent over U.S. Smaller poll reveals conflicting opinions on Iraq Wednesday, December 4, 2002 Posted: 3:08 PM EST (2008 GMT) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Majorities of those surveyed in France, Germany and Russia said they thought a desire on the United States' part to control Iraqi oil, not the belief that Iraq is a threat, would be the reason behind any U.S. military action against Baghdad. Forty-four percent of British respondents agreed.

I have to admit I find it humorous that the French and Russians think the US is in it for the oil when they had to be reassured the billions of dollars worth of oil contracts they have with Iraq will be honored.

I'm not saying the US has no interest in oil, but the French and Russian objections were certainly soothed by the promises that their oil interests would be safeguarded.

[Attalus]

And, as has been pointed out, there is growing dislike of Europeans among U.S. citizens. Sorry, I'm not gonna rush off crying.

[Madriver]

Originally posted by Ronn_Bman: quote: Originally posted by Rokenn: Survey of 44 nations shows growing discontent over U.S. Smaller poll reveals conflicting opinions on Iraq Wednesday, December 4, 2002 Posted: 3:08 PM EST (2008 GMT) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Majorities of those surveyed in France, Germany and Russia said they thought a desire on the United States' part to control Iraqi oil, not the belief that Iraq is a threat, would be the reason behind any U.S. military action against Baghdad. Forty-four percent of British respondents agreed.

I have to admit I find it humorous that the French and Russians think the US is in it for the oil when they had to be reassured the billions of dollars worth of oil contracts they have with Iraq will be honored.

I'm not saying the US has no interest in oil, but the French and Russian objections were certainly soothed by the promises that their oil interests would be safeguarded. [/QUOTE]Shhhhhhh...you're letting out the secret. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Let the demonization of the US begin. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[John D Harris]

"The survey highlighted conflicting attitudes about the United States. People around the world said they embrace American culture but decried U.S. influence on their societies. American unilateralism was criticized, though the U.S.-led war on terrorism enjoyed wide support outside the Muslim world."

I find this part very interesting they like our culture (the way we live, Are, and what we have) but don't like the influence on their own societies (culture). Can somebody please tell me how that can be done? If you embrace the American culture, then there WILL be an effect on the culture (society) of the ones doing the embracing. It can not work any other way, you can't serve two masters. Just some thunks.

[Indemaijinj]

Sometimes the "interests" might also be power politics.

Remember that the US financed many morally dubious overthrows and rebellions, including the Taliban.

Generally here in Europe people think that US's citizenry, culture and many of their values are great, but there are many who think that the US foreign policies tend to be too heavy-handed and short sighted.

Just because you disagree with the Bush administration you don't necessarily hate America.

[ 12-05-2002, 08:30 AM: Message edited by: Indemaijinj ]

[johnny]

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/bre...5p-37905c.html

Doesn't this just make you wanna cry ?

[Scholarcs]

No.

Not at all really.

[johnny]

Originally posted by Scholarcs: No. Not at all really.

You actually believe that ?

[Redblueflare]

Originally posted by johnny: quote: Originally posted by Scholarcs: No. Not at all really.

You actually believe that ?[/QUOTE]Well I do! It was all a set up! The bodies of the people crushed by the buildings, and the firefighters who died were all planted! There were never people on the planes at all. There were never terrorists either. Why there were normal pilots and they ejected at the last second! We set the whole thing up, just so we could invade Afghanistan a country that many people proabably didn't know *existed* This book is a really low blow...