People Around the World Want Political Change, but Many Doubt It Can Happen
Majorities in 20 of 25 countries surveyed say their political system needs major changes or complete reform, but many lack confidence this can happen effectively.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
International Affairs
Topic Spotlight
- Russia-Ukraine War: A majority of Americans are not confident that Donald Trump can make wise decisions regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, according to an August survey. (Read the short read)
- Views of the U.S.: Amid low confidence in Trump, views of the U.S. have declined among many nations included in our 24-country survey. (Read the report)
- Views of China: More people globally now see China as the world’s leading economic power, yet views of the country and its president remain broadly negative. (Read the report)
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A Rising Tide Lifts Mood in the Developing World
A 47-nation survey finds that as economic growth has surged in much of Latin America, East Europe and Asia over the past five years, people are expressing greater satisfaction with their personal lives, family incomes and national conditions. The picture is different in most advanced nations, where growth has been less robust and citizen satisfaction has changed little since 2002.
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Looking for a Way Out: Rethinking the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Few Palestinian families have deeper roots in Jerusalem than Sari Nusseibeh’s. In the 7th century, immediately after the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem, the caliph Omar the Great entrusted one of Nusseibeh’s ancestors with the key to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. From childhood onward, Nusseibeh, who was educated as a philosopher at Oxford and […]
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British Car Bombs Top News Interest
Summary of Findings Dramatic events in London and Scotland last week attracted a large news audience. Roughly a third of the public paid very close attention to news that British police had found and defused two car bombs in London, and another 31% followed the story fairly closely. Fully 21% said this was the single […]
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Global Unease With Major World Powers
A 47-nation survey finds global public opinion increasingly wary of the world’s dominant nations and disapproving of their leaders. Anti-Americanism is extensive, as it has been for the past five years. At the same time, the image of China has slipped significantly among the publics of other major nations.
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Journey into Islam: The Crisis of Globalization
The Brookings Institution Washington, D.C. Years after the tragic events of 9/11, tensions between the Muslim and Western worlds remain acute. Seeking to establish dialogue and understanding between Islamic and Western cultures, internationally renowned scholar Akbar Ahmed led a team of dedicated young Americans on a daring and unprecedented tour of the Muslim world. Journey […]
Signature Reports
Attitudes on an Interconnected World
How close do people feel to others around the world? How much do they want their countries involved in international affairs? How do people’s experiences with travel and feelings of international connectedness relate to their views about the world? A recent 24-nation survey explores these questions.
Representative Democracy Remains a Popular Ideal, but People Around the World Are Critical of How It’s Working
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.
What Can Improve Democracy?
Amid growing discontent with the state of democracy globally, we asked over 30,000 people what changes would make their democracy work better.
NATO Seen Favorably in Member States; Confidence in Zelenskyy Down in Europe, U.S.
NATO is seen more positively than not across 13 member states. And global confidence in Ukraine’s leader has become more mixed since last year.
