Citizens in Advanced Economies Want Significant Changes to Their Political Systems
Dissatisfaction with the functioning of democracy is linked to concerns about the economy, the pandemic and social divisions.
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Dissatisfaction with the functioning of democracy is linked to concerns about the economy, the pandemic and social divisions.
Wide majorities in most of the 17 advanced economies surveyed say having people of many different backgrounds improves their society, but most also see conflicts between partisan, racial and ethnic groups.
Germany’s pandemic response and its role in the EU are also rated positively.
There is minimal praise from other societies for how the United States and China are handling climate change.
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.
Twenty years ago, Americans came together – bonded by sadness and patriotism – after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. But a review of public opinion in the two decades since finds that unity was fleeting. It also shows how support for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq was strong initially but fell over time.
54% of U.S. adults say the decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan was the right one, while 42% say it was wrong.
Those on the political right are more likely to say there should have been fewer public activity restrictions during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Canadian views of their own country’s and their southern neighbor’s handling of the pandemic have shifted considerably in the past year.
17% of the global population could be considered middle income in 2020. Most people were either low income (51%) or poor (10%).
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