Poll Shows Global Images of Obama and America at Odds
FrontLines - August 2009
While President Barack Obama is viewed positively by most people around the world, attitudes toward America generally
are not improving much, if at all, in most countries, according
to a new poll taken in 20 countries and released June 29.
“Most people around the world seem to have a positive view of the young new captain at the helm of the American ship of state, though many people see this huge ship as still carrying
forward domineering policies,”
said Steven Kull, director of World Public Opinion, the research consortium that conducted
the poll.
The findings were released at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington on the six-month anniversary of the new administration and compared with similar
polling a year earlier.
Sixty one percent of those surveyed around the world say they have some or a lot of confidence
in Obama to “do the right thing regarding world affairs,” making him the most trusted world political leader.
This positive view of the president comes from people living in France, Britain, South Korea, and other traditional U.S. allies, who had been alienated
by the policies of the Bush administration; and also among citizens of Muslim countries in the Middle East where the opinion
of the United States remains quite low.
Among non-Muslim countries
in Asia, citizens in South Korea, Taiwan, and India view America’s role quite favorably.
Somewhat surprisingly perhaps, given talk about a “strategic rivalry” with the United States, the Chinese hold only slightly unfavorable views.
Kull said “even Machiavelli” would admit that the foreign policy dividends of cultivating sympathetic publics around the world are substantial. The favorable
perceptions of Obama open political space for leaders of allied nations to accommodate themselves to the administration’s
foreign policy initiatives.
Randa Slim, an expert on the Middle East at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund who commented on the poll’s findings, said America currently owns two brands—the “Obama brand” and a “USA brand”—which is the product of a checkered U.S. history in the Middle East.
Obama’s compelling
life story, even his middle name Hussein, resonates in the region. His measured
tone, respect, and humility on display in his Al Arabiya interview and in his speeches in Turkey and Cairo have all contributed to his standing there.
But this has only widened the dissonance with perceptions of American foreign policy. “The region is waiting to see deeds,” Slim said, or the favorable window that has opened will close and moods will sour.
In Africa, both brands track favorably. Obama is viewed as a native son of the continent, while foreign assistance was “undoubtedly”
the reason for the favorable image of the United States, both commentators agreed.
In all, 19,914 responded to the survey, which was conducted between April 4 and June 12 and had a margin of error of between 3 percent and 4 percent.
★
FrontLines is published
by the Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs
U.S. Agency for International Development
To have FrontLines delivered
to you via postal mail, please subscribe.
Material should be submitted
by mail to Editor, FrontLines, USAID,
RRB, Suite 6.10, Washington, DC 20523-6100;
by FAX to 202-216-3035; or by e-mail to frontlines@usaid.gov
To view PDF files, download
the Adobe
Acrobat Reader.
Back to Top ^
|
