Japanese feel better about their economy than at any time in nearly two decades. But they also believe average people are worse off than before the Great Recession and worry about their children's futures.
Bruce Stokes
Publications
Donald Trump’s international image remains poor, and ratings for the U.S. have declined since his election. Yet most people around the world still want the U.S., not China, as the world's leading power.
People in advanced and emerging economies generally agree that growing trade and business ties with other nations are good for their country, but fewer are convinced such ties lead to more jobs, higher wages or lower prices at home.
Average citizens around the world see a technological revolution coming in the workplace, and they are concerned. Many fear robots and computers will eliminate jobs and increase inequality.
Nostalgia, ethnocentrism and a belief that Islam is incompatible with a country’s culture and values also factor into nationalist populism in Europe.
The differences over immigration policy between Germany’s Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union are also evident among backers of the parties.
The United States runs a far larger merchandise trade deficit with China than with any other nation. But when the trade deficit is measured in other ways, the U.S. actually has a larger imbalance with countries outside of China.
Foreign policy experts on opposite sides of the Atlantic have markedly different assessments of the way democracy is working in their countries.
Most Indians hold a favorable opinion of Narendra Modi, and many are content with the state of the economy and the country's direction. The public is also satisfied with the way their democracy is working.
Though Japanese are split on their democracy's performance, most endorse representative democracy and back referenda on major policy issues.
