Americans are less concerned – but more divided – on climate change than people elsewhere
There is minimal praise from other societies for how the United States and China are handling climate change.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
There is minimal praise from other societies for how the United States and China are handling climate change.
A 24-country survey finds a median of 59% are dissatisfied with how their democracy is functioning, and 74% think elected officials don’t care what people like them think.
Despite the many depressing stories dominating the international news cycle, there is also a note of positivity among survey respondents in views of the UN, the benefits of international cooperation for solving problems and the importance of common values for bringing nations together.
Citizens offer mixed reviews of how their societies have responded to climate change, and many question the efficacy of international efforts to stave off a global environmental crisis.
The Chinese Communist Party is preparing for its 20th National Congress, an event likely to result in an unprecedented third term for President Xi Jinping. Since Xi took office in 2013, opinion of China in the U.S. and other advanced economies has turned more negative. How did it get to be this way?
We asked respondents in both countries to, in their own words, define what democracy means to them. Most commonly, people mention three broad concepts: freedom and human rights, elections and procedures, and having a voice in government.
Recent surveys have documented how people around the world view the issue of climate change and international responses.
Those on the political right are more likely to say there should have been fewer public activity restrictions during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Among 17 publics surveyed, those in Japan report the most negative assessment of how their country has handled the pandemic.
Nearly a quarter of countries used force to prevent religious gatherings during the pandemic; other government restrictions and social hostilities related to religion remained fairly stable.
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