NationStates Jolt Archive

Two very interesting polls have been released recently, one on the world opinion on the US election and another one on the transatlantic relationship.

Here is the link to:
The GlobeScan Report PDF (only the first two pages are relevant) (http://www.globescan.com/news_archives/GlobeScan-PIPA_Release.pdf) which deals with the US election.

In my country, the Netherlands, the results would be 63% voting for Kerry and 6% for Bush. This holds true for all of Americas traditional allies. But Republicans should not worry: of all nations polled worldwide, Bush still wins a plurality in the Phillipines, Poland and Nigeria. :p

There were also a few articles dealing with these two studies, so I just used snipets from both because I know how people here do not like to read long pieces of text.

Global opinion favours Kerry over Bush, says poll

World opinion is overwhelmingly in favour of John Kerry, the Democratic candidate, to win the US presidential election, according to a poll covering 35 countries.

In 30 countries, many of them staunch allies of the US, the public favoured Mr Kerry over President George W. Bush by a two-to-one margin, according to a poll conducted by GlobeScan, a public opinion group, and the University of Maryland.

Only Poland, Nigeria and the Philippines backed Mr Bush, while India and Thailand were a statistical tie.

Both the poll and a separate survey of transatlantic trends, released on Thursday, show rising international mistrust of the US across the world.
"If the people of the world were going to participate in the US election, Mr Kerry would win handily," said Steven Kull, director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland.

An average of 53 per cent of GlobeScan's respondents said that foreign policy under Mr Bush had made them feel worse about the US, while 19 per cent said it made them feel better. In Germany, 74 per cent said they backed Mr Kerry against only 10 per cent for Mr Bush. In France only 5 per cent supported the president. In the UK, the margin was 47 per cent to 16 in favour of the challenger. In China, 52 per cent of those asked backed Mr Kerry against for Mr Bush, although Indians and Thais were statistically tied.
Moises Naim, editor of the US-based Foreign Policy magazine, said that the global preference for Mr Kerry "could be exploited by the Bush campaign because of the US's very strong historic strain of isolationism".

But he added: "This ends up not just hurting the US, but the possibility of the world community coming together to tackle problems."

The GlobeScan poll comes as the US presidential race, in which Mr Bush has taken a lead, begins in earnest ahead of the November 2 election.

[...]

World opinion, however, is unlikely to sway American voters. A third poll of 798 Americans also released on Tuesday showed that 74 per cent of undecided US voters would be unaffected by global attitudes about the presidential race.
[...]



Americans are from Mars, Europeans from Venus, say polls

[…]
One poll, Transatlantic Trends 2004, carried out by the German Marshall Fund of the US and Italy's Compagnia di San Paolo, reveals a big gulf between the US and Europe on issues such as the use of force and America's role in the world. It questioned 11,000 people in the US and 10 European countries.
[…]
“For the first time since we've done the polls a majority of Europeans does not want strong US leadership,” said William Drozdiak, director of the Marshall Fund. “A lot of Europeans have begun to fear that at a time when they have created a Europe that is safe, secure, strong and free for the first time in history, they will be dragged into a misbegotten war abroad because of their association with the US.”

The Marshall Fund poll says that 76 per cent of Europeans disapprove of current US foreign policy an increase of 20 percentage points over two years.
Big majorities in France and Germany back their government's decisions not to send troops to Iraq, and in Spain's case, to withdraw troops. But in all three countries majorities would support sending soldiers if the UN approved a multinational force.

At the time the poll was conducted, in June this year, 58 per cent of Europeans found strong US leadership undesirable. Even in the UK, the US's traditional ally, the proportion has slid from 77 per cent in 1998 to 54 per cent this year.

By contrast, 70 per cent of respondents in the US said they would like to see a more powerful European Union a higher proportion than in all but one of the European countries surveyed.

Still, majorities on both sides maintained that the two sides had not grown further apart.

The two sides disagreed on the use of force only 41 per cent of Europeans said that war could achieve just ends, compared with 82 per cent of Americans.

And while 54 per cent of Americans think military strength is the best way to ensure peace, only 28 per cent of Europeans agree.

Indeed, although 64 per cent of Europeans thought Europe should acquire more military power to be better able to protect its interests separately from the US, only 22 per cent of Europeans wanted their governments to spend more on defence.
[...]


DISCLAIMER:
I am not really a generalite so I do not know if this thing came up somewhere in the last days. It hit Euronews today, but they tend to take their time for these things.

Anyway, since the whole Bush-Kerry US-Rest of world theme is quite popular here in General, I thought it would be fun provide some nice data. Gotta feed you some new stuff to get mad about now and then, I figure.

I agree with the results of this poll.

By contrast, 70 per cent of respondents in the US said they would like to see a more powerful European Union a higher proportion than in all but one of the European countries surveyed.

This was the only statistic that surprised me. I thought Americans hated Europe these days.

Good, the US electorate are independent thinkers who don't go along with everyone else. :)

Good, the US electorate are independent thinkers who don't go along with everyone else. :)
Not "independent". Rather arrogant enough to ignore the entire world and surprised when they reap what they sow.

Not "independent". Rather arrogant enough to ignore the entire world and surprised when they reap what they sow.

OK, so if someone agrees with the US they are idiot sheep but if someone disagrees with the US they are enlightened dissenters? Alrighy then!

By the way, when I lived in China, it was common opinion that the Franco-German axis was never to be trusted because they were slimy weasels. Still looks that way. :)

Not "independent". Rather arrogant enough to ignore the entire world and surprised when they reap what they sow.

Hey! A whopping 33% of Nigerians support Bush too with only 27% for Kerry. Do not underestimate Bush' hidden reserves. There is potential for allies yet. :p

Siljhouettes: I would think that American support for a stronger EU is a bipartisan issue for different reasons:
Most Americans want a stronger Europe that can spend more on defence (hence, costing the US less.) To the contrary, only a small minority of Europeans wants to spend more on defence.

Also, but this is just me speculating, European integration probably makes more sense for people across the pond when there are not so many nationalist sentiments as over here.

Personally I don't care if every citizen on the face of the earth want us dead. And I could not care ANY less about their opinon or ideas. America is the greatest country and will be until the liberals take us over and gobalize us and pay attention the the UN or the EU.

OK, so if someone agrees with the US they are idiot sheep but if someone disagrees with the US they are enlightened dissenters? Alrighy then!

By the way, when I lived in China, it was common opinion that the Franco-German axis was never to be trusted because they were slimy weasels. Still looks that way. :)
Slimy weasels? Not krauts and frogs?

...of europeans do not favour strong american leadershipWhat does "strong american leadership" mean? Is that Bush only, or is that a strong leader in America in general?

America is the greatest country and will be until the liberals take us over and gobalize us and pay attention the the UN or the EU.
So it won't be for much longer then?

Slimy weasels? Not krauts and frogs?

I don't think there is a Chinese word for "Kraut".

So it won't be for much longer then?

Not for another four years at least ;)

Not for another four years at least ;)
Don't be so sure. The elections did not happen yet and Bush is a good candidate for losing his presidency due to being the worse of two evils.

I thought Americans hated Europe these days.

I don't.

Don't be so sure. The elections did not happen yet and Bush is a good candidate for losing his presidency due to being the worse of two evils.

Yep, your (German) opinion will realize itself in America. :)

The German media really keeps you hopped up on propaganda doesn't it?

Yep, your (German) opinion will realize itself in America. :)

The German media really keeps you hopped up on propaganda doesn't it?
Nope. There's no propaganda on our TV regarding the US. However the US TV stations are corporate owned and can clearly be categorized as republican-friendly, centrist/liberal or democratic, which means, they broadcast propaganda. There's no use denying this anyway. Just watch a few minutes of FOX and you'll see what I mean.

Of course the rest of the world wants Kerry to be president-- they hate America's power in the world as it stands right now. And who will give away our power? John Kerry.

Other countries hate us for doing whatever we want, because they can't. Well go ahead and whine about it all day long, because we Americans aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

Nope. There's no propaganda on our TV regarding the US. However the US TV stations are corporate owned and can clearly be categorized as republican-friendly, centrist/liberal or democratic, which means, they broadcast propaganda. There's no use denying this anyway. Just watch a few minutes of FOX and you'll see what I mean.

The fact that you actually believe corporate ownership makes a media outlet friendly to the GOP demonstrates your ignorance.

The fact that you actually believe corporate ownership makes a media outlet friendly to the GOP demonstrates your ignorance.
Says the one with Israel in his name... I wonder why you even bother stating your opinion. It is already clear before you post that you are in complete agreement with the US and US imperialism. The US TV stations are doing a propaganda war of epic proportions. I pity the US citizens who have no choice but the crap they get constantly bombarded with on TV.

Of course the rest of the world wants Kerry to be president-- they hate America's power in the world as it stands right now. And who will give away our power? John Kerry.

Other countries hate us for doing whatever we want, because they can't. Well go ahead and whine about it all day long, because we Americans aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
You could not be further from the truth. The world is tired of a US abusing it's unique position for the wrong things. Globalization and opening of worldwide markets for US corporations bring poverty and "outsourcing" of jobs. The illegal war on Iraq is not seen as a noble deed due to the lies that happened before it. Nobody is jealous of the US' power. The world is rather angry that the US abuse a tragedy like 9/11 for geostrategical activity and imposing a new world order on everyone. Deal with your own problems and nobody would care what president runs the US. Play world police unilaterally and the world will disapprove of the president doing it. Alienate longtime allies and these allies will reexamine their status with the US. You should give more consideration to world opinion because if you don't, you'll eventually be on your own in your "War on Terrorism", which could have undesirable consequences for your country. You are already overwhelmed with the responsibility you have in Iraq - the world won't help if you always take goodwill for granted, despite alienating the nations who would be inclined to help, but feel irritated by US actions.

Says the one with Israel in his name... I wonder why you even bother stating your opinion. It is already clear before you post that you are in complete agreement with the US and US imperialism. The US TV stations are doing a propaganda war of epic proportions. I pity the US citizens who have no choice but the crap they get constantly bombarded with on TV.

LOL. That name is an inside joke between friends. I'm not Jewish, I'm not white, I'm not religious, and I'm not even American. I've only been in America for 5 years and spent all that time in ultra-liberal socialist Ithaca, New York.

Any more flames?

LOL. That name is an inside joke between friends. I'm not Jewish, I'm not white, I'm not religious, and I'm not even American. I've only been in America for 5 years and spent all that time in ultra-liberal socialist Ithaca, New York.

Any more flames?
Not a flame. Your attitude perfectly fits the name though. It is surprising that you are *not* from Israel. I'd expect exactly posts like yours from an Israelite.

You could not be further from the truth. The world is tired of a US abusing it's unique position for the wrong things. Globalization and opening of worldwide markets for US corporations bring poverty and "outsourcing" of jobs. The illegal war on Iraq is not seen as a noble deed due to the lies that happened before it. Nobody is jealous of the US' power. The world is rather angry that the US abuse a tragedy like 9/11 for geostrategical activity and imposing a new world order on everyone. Deal with your own problems and nobody would care what president runs the US. Play world police unilaterally and the world will disapprove of the president doing it. Alienate longtime allies and these allies will reexamine their status with the US. You should give more consideration to world opinion because if you don't, you'll eventually be on your own in your "War on Terrorism", which could have undesirable consequences for your country. You are already overwhelmed with the responsibility you have in Iraq - the world won't help if you always take goodwill for granted, despite alienating the nations who would be inclined to help, but feel irritated by US actions.

You want some cheese with that whine?

Basically. you hate the US because it is capitalist, pro-free trade and dares to lead the global fight against Islamic terrorism. You are such an independent thinker! I swear, you're the first person I've met who holds that opinion. Really! :)

Not a flame. Your attitude perfectly fits the name though. It is surprising that you are *not* from Israel. I'd expect exactly posts like yours from an Israelite.

So you're anti-semitic as well? Well, that *still* fits the stereotype I posted above. ;)

So you're anti-semitic as well? Well, that *still* fits the stereotype I posted above. ;)
Why am I anti-semitic due to stating that your opinion would be expected from an Israelite? There's nothing anti in it, except if you think your opinion is inferior... which might very much be the case, but I will leave judgement of that for others.

Why am I anti-semitic due to stating that your opinion would be expected from an Israelite? There's nothing anti in it, except if you think your opinion is inferior... which might very much be the case, but I will leave judgement of that for others.

Sure buddy. I've experienced a lot of Mideast spats (Cornell has a lot of Zionists and anti-Semites) and in my experience, terms like "neocon agenda" and accusations like "I expect a Jew to agree with imperialist policy" are merely euphemisms for outright anti-semitism.

You want some cheese with that whine?

Basically. you hate the US because it is capitalist, pro-free trade and dares to lead the global fight against Islamic terrorism. You are such an independent thinker! I swear, you're the first person I've met who holds that opinion. Really! :)
Capitalist? No. Although I think that especially US corporations really overdo it with the capitalism.

pro-free trade? Well, there's nothing against free trade, so long as economies serve the people they are exploiting the workforce of. This is more and more not the case and everyone is only looking for personal gain, no matter the cost.

dares to lead the global fight against Islamic terrorism? Well, I do indeed hate the US for that. Not due to fighting terrorism but due to how they do it. I strongly disapprove of waging wars against entire nations, even those that have no connection to 9/11, as means to fight terrorism. Global events indicate that terrorism is rising worldwide, rather than decreasing. This quite impressively proves that war fuels terrorism and is the wrong way to do it. Alas, thanks to the US people world-wide have to fear terrorist attacks more than they had to before 9/11. It's an endless spiral of violence and death, which is quite undesirable.

I am an independent thinker, indeed. Much unlike many in the US who are patriotic to the wrong cause and blinded by jingoism.

So you're anti-semitic as well? Well, that *still* fits the stereotype I posted above. ;)

Please stop your propaganda and stop flaiming, calling gigatron a anti semite is pure flaimebite. You just do since you're unable to debate his arguments.

Sure buddy. I've experienced a lot of Mideast spats (Cornell has a lot of Zionists and anti-Semites) and in my experience, terms like "neocon agenda" and accusations like "I expect a Jew to agree with imperialist policy" are merely euphemisms for outright anti-semitism.
I never said "Neocon agenda" nor did i use the word "Jew". I do not equal "Jews" with "Israelites". Israelites for me are those in Israel who benefit from US protection and support, abusing it to terrorize an entire region. Naturally they support the US in whatever decision the US make. You are similar to those US-puppets despite not being from Israel. Thus, why your name fits your opinion.

Well, I do indeed hate the US for that. Not due to fighting terrorism but due to how they do it.

Considering what city you live in, I can't blame you for hating the U.S.

Capitalist? No. Although I think that especially US corporations really overdo it with the capitalism.

Overdo? WTF? The US was barely in the top 10 of the world's most free economies. Can you name specific complaints against American capitalism?

pro-free trade? Well, there's nothing against free trade, so long as economies serve the people they are exploiting the workforce of. This is more and more not the case and everyone is only looking for personal gain, no matter the cost.

In my experience, American firms operating in China pay their workers much more than the local companies. Pithy little generalizations from people who don't know anything about business don't have good arguments.

dares to lead the global fight against Islamic terrorism? Well, I do indeed hate the US for that. Not due to fighting terrorism but due to how they do it. I strongly disapprove of waging wars against entire nations, even those that have no connection to 9/11, as means to fight terrorism. Global events indicate that terrorism is rising worldwide, rather than decreasing. This quite impressively proves that war fuels terrorism and is the wrong way to do it. Alas, thanks to the US people world-wide have to fear terrorist attacks more than they had to before 9/11. It's an endless spiral of violence and death, which is quite undesirable.

Oh my! We should look into the *root cause* of terrorism! Maybe then they'll change their minds!

Too bad those Islamofascists want to destroy Western civilization and replace it with a global umma! How inconvenient!

I am an independent thinker, indeed. Much unlike many in the US who are patriotic to the wrong cause and blinded by jingoism.

HAHAHA. How are you an independent thinker when a large percentage of Germans also share your worldview?

By the way, I love that word. Jingoism. Such a meaningless leftist insult. LOL!

Considering what city you live in, I can't blame you for hating the U.S.
Being born and living in Dresden is not the main factor to this. Although I think that it was an atrocity and has ruined this city fundamentally, it was long ago and I do not hold a grudge against the US today for that. I'm only angry when people say that it was the right thing to do or justified when it clearly was not ;)

The "war on terror" is a dangerous political vehicle to drag a nation along and to divert attention from the real issues at home. The US have serious domestic problems, which cannot be solved by throwing money out of the window for a neverending war against a ghost. The only parties benefitting from that are the corporate friends of Bush. Thus why I fail to see how he can gain any support from the average Joe in the US. He has damaged the US constantly during his 4 year reign and does not deserve another 4 years to continue his disastrous "leadership".

I never said "Neocon agenda" nor did i use the word "Jew". I do not equal "Jews" with "Israelites". Israelites for me are those in Israel who benefit from US protection and support, abusing it to terrorize an entire region. Naturally they support the US in whatever decision the US make. You are similar to those US-puppets despite not being from Israel. Thus, why your name fits your opinion.

Terrorizing an entire region? You might want to examine the actions of the PLO in the past three decades instead of Israel's.

I'm only angry when people say that it was the right thing to do or justified when it clearly was not ;)

I agree, it was not justified. Eisenhower was such a sick bastard. I'd recommend Operation Keelhaul, The East Came West, and Other Losses.

Considering what city you live in, I can't blame you for hating the U.S.

In fact, most damage was done by the Brits on 13 february (the firestorm) (776 Lancasters), folowed by about 560 heavy US bombers the next second days.

The US have serious domestic problems

Please, go on.

HAHAHA. How are you an independent thinker when a large percentage of Germans also share your worldview?

By the way, I love that word. Jingoism. Such a meaningless leftist insult. LOL!
It shows quite nicely that we Germans have a better understanding of world politics and that waging useless wars does not help the situation. *shrug* I am happy that not just us Germans, but a large majority of the world, thinks exactly the same, leaving the US deserted and (almost) alone.

In fact, most damage was done by the Brits on 13 february (the firestorm) (776 Lancasters), folowed by about 560 heavy US bombers the next second days.

Politician-in-uniform and arch-war criminal Eisenhower was the mastermind behind it, though.

I agree, it was not justified. Eisenhower was such a sick bastard. I'd recommend Operation Keelhaul, The East Came West, and Other Losses.

Die Brand by Friedrich is translated in English to, it is the latest standard work about the air war or "Bombenkrieg."

It shows quite nicely that we Germans have a better understanding of world politics and that waging useless wars does not help the situation. *shrug* I am happy that not just us Germans, but a large majority of the world, thinks exactly the same, leaving the US deserted and (almost) alone.

Similarily, I can argue that Americans have a better understanding of terrorism and what needs to be done about it.

It is sad really to see someone who needs the "support of the world" to justify his opinions and values.

Politician-in-uniform and arch-war criminal Eisenhower was the mastermind behind it, though.

No, Harris "the butcher" was. Churchill rols in the destruction of the German culture (he planned this to) is well explained in "Die Brand". The Amis behaved a very little bit better then the English above Germany. The US even sometimes (rare) attacked millitary targets while the Brittish airfleet mainly was built to attack civilian targets.

Similarily, I can argue that Americans have a better understanding of terrorism and what needs to be done about it.

It is sad really to see someone who needs the "support of the world" to justify his opinions and values.
Firstly, the US fuel terrorism, they dont defeat it and they never will. Secondly I do not *need* world opinion. I just happen to have a healthy sense of what is good and what is bad for our collective survival, just like the rest of mankind.

I love revisionism. ;)

I love revisionism. ;)

Yeah, and your specialised in it when I read your posts ;)

Firstly, the US fuel terrorism, they dont defeat it and they never will. Secondly I do not *need* world opinion. I just happen to have a healthy sense of what is good and what is bad, just like the rest of mankind.

You seem awfully certain of the causes and solutions of terrorism. Didn't Germany appease the Munich terrorists in 1972 by cutting a deal with their Libyan bosses to let them go scot free? The Germans don't exactly have a stellar record when it comes to dealing with Islamic terrorism.

If you don't need world opinion, you along with all the other lefties would stop quoting it. And your "healthy sense of what is good and what is bad" is tainted by a sordid lack of historical knowledge. Sorry.

Yeah, and your specialised in it when I read your posts ;)

Do revisionists call normal people revisionists? I thought they were rather proud of their beliefs.

Firstly, the US fuel terrorism, they dont defeat it and they never will. Secondly I do not *need* world opinion. I just happen to have a healthy sense of what is good and what is bad for our collective survival, just like the rest of mankind.

Agreed. Many terrorists (like bin Laden) were American-made.

Agreed. Many terrorists (like bin Laden) were American-made.

I guess bin Laden's own assertions of CIA non-involvement is just another American ploy. :rolleyes:

You seem awfully certain of the causes and solutions of terrorism. Didn't Germany appease the Munich terrorists in 1972 by cutting a deal with their Libyan bosses to let them go scot free? The Germans don't exactly have a stellar record when it comes to dealing with Islamic terrorism.

If you don't need world opinion, you along with all the other lefties would stop quoting it. And your "healthy sense of what is good and what is bad" is tainted by a sordid lack of historical knowledge. Sorry.
You are welcome on my ignore list now. I am tired of reading you. Bye.

You are welcome on my ignore list now. I am tired of reading you. Bye.

Likewise.

Likewise.

I doubt he'll read that.

I doubt he'll read that.
I did, since you quoted it :p

Do revisionists call normal people revisionists? I thought they were rather proud of their beliefs.


Well, for what I see, you are not normal, and you are the revisionist not Gigatron.

Please stop your propaganda and stop flaiming, calling gigatron a anti semite is pure flaimebite. You just do since you're unable to debate his arguments.
Irony Defined. :rolleyes:

Interesting debate 0_o. This turned into flaming sooner then I thought.