Upon first glance at this graph, which is based on extensive Pew Research polling across the globe, what strikes you the most?
I have a number of questions, but two rise to the top:
How do you explain that places like Ghana, Senegal and Bangladesh
have a much more favorable view of the U.S. than the United Kingdom or
neighboring Mexico?
have a much more favorable view of the U.S. than the United Kingdom or
neighboring Mexico?
How is it that some of our historical long-standing
allies in the Arab/Islamic world – Jordan, Egypt, Turkey — are among those who
dislike us the most?
allies in the Arab/Islamic world – Jordan, Egypt, Turkey — are among those who
dislike us the most?
Here’s how Pew describes
the situation:
the situation:
“For nearly a decade and a half the U.S. global image has been on
a roller coaster ride. At the beginning of the century America was seen
favorably by majorities in most of the countries where comparable public
opinion data are available.
a roller coaster ride. At the beginning of the century America was seen
favorably by majorities in most of the countries where comparable public
opinion data are available.
“Over the next few years the bottom fell out of U.S. approval
numbers, amid widespread opposition to the war in Iraq and other aspects of
U.S. foreign policy. America’s image began to rally in some nations and to soar
by the end of the decade following the election of Barack Obama, at least in
Europe and parts of Asia and Latin America. After slipping a bit again in the
first years of this decade, brand U.S. has stabilized and even recovered in a
few nations in 2014.
numbers, amid widespread opposition to the war in Iraq and other aspects of
U.S. foreign policy. America’s image began to rally in some nations and to soar
by the end of the decade following the election of Barack Obama, at least in
Europe and parts of Asia and Latin America. After slipping a bit again in the
first years of this decade, brand U.S. has stabilized and even recovered in a
few nations in 2014.
“Currently, majorities in 30 of 43
nations express a favorable opinion of the United States. This includes
majorities in five of seven European nations, where 78% of Italians, 75% of the
French and 73% of Poles voice positive views of Uncle Sam.
nations express a favorable opinion of the United States. This includes
majorities in five of seven European nations, where 78% of Italians, 75% of the
French and 73% of Poles voice positive views of Uncle Sam.
“There is no evidence of a rise of
anti-Americanism in most of Western Europe, home to great animosity toward
Washington in the middle of the last decade. Only in Germany, where U.S.
favorability is down 13 points since 2009, has the positive image of the United
States slipped significantly. And, despite this slippage, roughly half of
Germans (51%) still see America in a positive light.
anti-Americanism in most of Western Europe, home to great animosity toward
Washington in the middle of the last decade. Only in Germany, where U.S.
favorability is down 13 points since 2009, has the positive image of the United
States slipped significantly. And, despite this slippage, roughly half of
Germans (51%) still see America in a positive light.
Pew also found significant differences across the globe based on
age and religion.
age and religion.
