PIPA POLL

A recent BBC World Service survey polled citizens of 27 countries, asking the question, “In the future, when historians think about the year 2005, what event of global significance do you think will be seen as most important?” Respondents from around the world volunteered surprisingly similar answers including the Iraq War, the Asian tsunami, and hurricanes that battered the Gulf Coast.  These results are indicative of how people from all corners of the globe share concern about and have a vested interest in our interdependent world.

American Public Opinion
In the U.S. the Iraq war ranked as the most frequently volunteered answer, with 27% of Americans marking it the most important global event of the year.  Hurricanes in the U.S. followed with a 15% response rate, and the Asian tsunami, at 8%.  The U.S. rated the war in Iraq of higher importance than most other countries polled, with the exception of South Korea (31%),  Spain (28%) and Iraq (43%) who also rated the war higher than all other events. 

Global Public Opinion
Combined, the countries polled ranked the war in Iraq and the Asian tsunami the same with regard to importance, at 15% each, followed by U.S. hurricanes at 9%. 

Other major events that were identified include the death of the Pope (39%-average of countries), the London bombings (4%), global warming (3%), and avian influenza (3%).

+ CLICK HERE to read the full results.

Updated January 12, 2006

Citizens for Global Solutions Power Point
Presentation on Americans and global engagement gives a historical look at public opinion on multilateralism

LINKS

Links to other website highlighting polls and research on American public opinion on U.S. global engagement