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Articles by Mara Mordecai
As border remains closed, Canadians are critical of U.S. pandemic response but still view their neighbor favorably
Canadian and U.S. flags are seen from the Canadian side of the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, on May 19, 2020, along with a banner reading “stay home.” (Xinhua/Zou Zheng via Getty Images) After a 17-month ban on nonessential travel between the United States and Canada prompted by the coronavirus outbreak, the Canadian government announced that fully vaccinated Americans will be allowed to enter Canada for nonessential travel beginning on Aug. 9.
Foreign policy scholars and American public agree that U.S. standing abroad is important
An overwhelming majority of Americans agree it is important that the United States is generally respected by other countries around the world, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in February. And a new parallel survey of international relations scholars finds that academics are in lockstep with the U.S. public on the importance of America’s image abroad.
Views of Political Correctness in U.S., UK, France and Germany
In all three European countries surveyed, respondents are closely divided over whether people today are too easily offended or whether people should be careful what they say to avoid offending others. However, only four-in-ten Americans think people should be careful what they say to avoid offending others, with a majority (57%) saying people today are too easily offended by what others say.
Views of Discrimination in Society in U.S., UK, France and Germany
About eight-in-ten Americans say there is a lot or some discrimination against Muslims in their society, and two-thirds or more in the UK, Germany and France agree. In every country but Germany, significantly more say there is discrimination against Muslims than say the same of Jews. In Germany, 64% say Jews are discriminated against – and similar numbers of Americans (66%) say the same. Fewer Britons (58%) and French (50%) agree.
Immigration Attitudes in U.S., UK, France and Germany
The share who say immigrants in their country today want to adopt their customs and way of life has increased significantly since 2014 in the UK, Germany and France (the question was not asked in the U.S. until 2018). “It’s good to have a mix of different cultures and backgrounds, but I think it can sometimes be negative if … people will come into the country and not learn the language. They’ll close themselves off and they don’t integrate.
Views of National Identity in U.S., UK, France and Germany
In all four nations surveyed, sizable majorities see speaking their country’s dominant language and sharing its customs and traditions to be at least somewhat important to truly being part of their countries. In Germany, for example, this view is nearly ubiquitous, with 94% saying speaking German is critical to being German, and around three-quarters saying it is very important.
National Pride and Shame in U.S., UK, France and Germany
Publics are split when it comes to personal feelings of pride, shame or both for their country. Only in Germany do roughly half (53%) say they feel proud of their country most of the time. In France and the UK, roughly equal shares of the public say they are proud of their countries as say they are both proud and ashamed. In the U.S., only 39% say they are proud most of the time.
National Identity Becoming More Inclusive in U.S., UK, France and Germany
A student in Berlin conjugates a verb for class. (Scherhaufer/ullstein bild via Getty Images) This report focuses on attitudes in the U.S., France, Germany and the UK about what it takes to be truly part of the country’s nationality. It also includes questions about the importance of tradition and national pride, among other issues. For this analysis, we use data from nationally representative telephone surveys of 4,069 adults from Nov. 10 to Dec. 23, 2020, in the U.S., France, Germany and the UK.
How U.S. views on foreign policy and international cooperation are linked
Dozens of world leaders are convening virtually this week to join President Joe Biden at the Leaders Summit on Climate. In a recent , 44% of Americans said dealing with climate change should be a top long-term foreign policy goal for the United States. But Americans’ views about the importance of addressing climate change and other foreign policy priorities differed by a number of factors – most notably their broader attitudes toward international engagement.
Iran widely criticized in 14 advanced economies
Hassan Rouhani, president of Iran, speaks in Tehran on Nov. 07, 2020. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Iran once again has become a top focus of international tensions, with heightened concerns about its nuclear intentions coming on top of years of hostilities over its geopolitical ambitions in the Middle East.
How people around the world see the World Health Organization’s initial coronavirus response
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus leaves a ceremony in Geneva for the restarting of the city’s Jet d’Eau fountain in June 2020. The fountain had been shut off due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images) The World Health Organization (WHO) has played a controversial role in the global response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Public opinion about coronavirus is more politically divided in U.S. than in other advanced economies
A sign in the old town area of Düsseldorf, Germany, calls on people to cover their nose and mouth. (Henning Kaiser/picture alliance via Getty Images) The United States and other countries have been struggling for most of this year with the twin challenges posed by the coronavirus outbreak and the havoc it has wreaked on their economies.
In U.S. and UK, Globalization Leaves Some Feeling ‘Left Behind’ or ‘Swept Up’
Focus groups reveal the degree to which Americans and Britons see common challenges to local and national identity In 2016, both Americans and Britons participated in divisive votes shaped in part by questions of immigration and global engagement. In the United States, voters cast ballots in a presidential election ultimately won by Donald Trump and his “America first” vision.
In U.S. and UK, Globalization Leaves Some Feeling ‘Left Behind’ or ‘Swept Up’
Focus groups reveal the degree to which Americans and Britons see common challenges to local and national identity BY LAURA SILVER, SHANNON SCHUMACHER AND MARA MORDECAI October 5 2020 In 2016, both Americans and Britons participated in divisive votes shaped in part by questions of immigration and global engagement. In the United States, voters cast ballots in a presidential election ultimately won by Donald Trump and his “America first” vision.
How focus groups informed our study about nationalism and international engagement in the U.S. and UK
(Pew Research Center illustration) Pew Research Center surveys regularly reveal divergent opinions about globalization, national identity and international engagement, both in the United States and other countries. Political affiliation and ideological orientation help explain some of these differences in opinion, but we wanted to explore more fully how local context and national identity also shape opinions about globalization.
2008 vs. Today: Why we’re more pessimistic about the economic situation now
Global attitudes about the state of the economy amid the coronavirus outbreak are more negative in some countries than they were in 2008. But generally, people are more positive about a potential rebound than they were after the financial crisis. Global attitudes about the state of the economy amid the coronavirus outbreak are more negative in some countries than they were during the Great Recession, according to Pew Research Center surveys conducted in 10 countries during both crises.
Methodology
Trump Ratings Remain Low Around Globe, While Views of U.S. Stay Mostly Favorable How people around the world see the U.S. and Donald Trump in 10 charts Around the world, more see the U.S. positively than China, but little confidence in Trump or Xi The U.S. in one word: Canadians say ‘Trump,’ Mexicans point to ‘money’ and ‘work’ U.S. is seen as a top ally in many countries – but others view it as a threat
U.S. Image Plummets Internationally as Most Say Country Has Handled Coronavirus Badly
This analysis focuses on public opinion of the United States in 13 countries in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Views of the U.S. and its president are examined in the context of long-term trend data. The report also examines how people in other countries perceive America’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak and how those perceptions compare to ratings for their own country, the World Health Organization, the European Union and China.
In many countries, people are more negative about the economy amid COVID-19 than during Great Recession
Stock and commodity prices on the wall of the Australian Stock Exchange in Sydney as Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks on Sept. 2, 2020. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Global attitudes about the state of the economy amid the coronavirus outbreak are more negative in some countries than they were during the Great Recession, according to Pew Research Center surveys conducted in 10 countries during both crises.
Here's what people think about the economic outlook around the world
Research from the Pew Research Center, focusing 14 nations in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region, shows how much public attitudes to the economy have declined. Just 31% believe the economic situation in their country is good. Citizens of Italy and Japan are the most pessimistic, with only 11% and 13% respectively, regarding their domestic economic situation as good. In the Netherlands and South Korea, 60% of respondents believe the worst is yet to come.
Views of the economy have turned sharply negative in many countries amid COVID-19
A woman walks past a closed shop in London on June 28. (Hollie Adams/Getty Images) Public attitudes about the economy have turned bleak in much of the world as the coronavirus outbreak continues to affect daily life, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted this summer in 14 nations in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region.
How people in Poland see key aspects of their democracy ahead of presidential election
Election posters of presidential incumbent Andrzej Duda and challenger Rafal Trzaskowski on a street in Krakow, Poland, on July 2. A runoff between the two is planned for July 12. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Poles will vote on July 12 in a runoff election between incumbent President Andrzej Duda of the right-wing populist Law and Justice Party and Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski of the more progressive, pro-European Union Civic Platform.
After coronavirus, Americans expect a changed global balance of power
Many Americans are anticipating changes in the global balance of power and the importance of international cooperation even as the coronavirus outbreak continues to rage across the United States and around the world, according to three recent Pew Research Center surveys. Americans are divided in their outlooks, mainly along ideological lines, but are more united on opinions relating to China’s place in the world.
Americans and Germans Differ in Their Views of Each Other and the World
German and American flags at a meeting between the countries’ respective defense leaders at the Pentagon in September. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) In 2017, Pew Research Center and Körber-Stiftung began collaborating on joint public opinion surveys to gauge the state of relations between the United States and Germany. The questions were developed together, and each organization fielded a survey within their own country starting that year and continuing in 2018 and 2019.
Before Soleimani's death, concerns about Iran had fallen in many countries – including the U.S.
A street mural of the Iranian flag in Tehran in October 2017. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated in the wake of American airstrikes that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani on Jan. 3, 2020.
Methodology
Results for the survey are based on face-to-face interviews conducted under the direction of D3 Systems Inc. The results are based on national samples. More details about our international survey methodology and country-specific sample designs are available here.
2. Phone sharers: What limits their mobile use?
A median of 7% across the 11 countries surveyed say they do not own a phone but do use someone else’s regularly. Although there are relatively few sharers in each country, they face the challenge of relying on others for their connectivity. Many individuals who share a mobile device report struggling financially with owning and maintaining a mobile phone.
Mobile owners in emerging countries: What they struggle to do
In every country surveyed, a majority of people own mobile phones, and, in most countries, mobile phone ownership is nearly ubiquitous. Across the 11 countries surveyed, a median of 89% say they own phones, compared with a median of 7% who share phones and 6% who don’t own or share phones.
Acknowledgments
This report is a collaborative effort based on the input and analysis of the following individuals. Laura Silver, Senior Researcher Emily A.
1. Non-mobile phone users: What hinders their access?
Mobile phones are common across many emerging economies. Yet, mobile phone ownership is not equally embraced either among nations or within them. Across the 11 emerging economies surveyed as part of this report, up to one-in-five people do not own or even share a mobile phone. While myriad factors affect why people don’t own or use mobile phones, a few key ones stand out.
Obstacles to using phones in emerging countries
Individuals face many potential hardships when trying to access mobile technology. As discussed in previous chapters, these can range from limited access to electricity to low literacy to financial constraints or some combination of these and other factors. Given this complexity, we wanted to understand who experiences which types of problems using mobile phones and the regularity with which they experience them.
Appendix A: About the focus groups
Pew Research Center conducted a series of focus groups to better understand how people think about their own mobile phones and the impact of these devices on their society. Five focus groups were held in each of the following four countries: Kenya, Mexico, the Philippines and Tunisia. Each focus group consisted of 10 adults coming together for an hour and a half for a discussion led by a local, professional moderator using a guide developed by Pew Research Center.
Appendix B: How the hardship scales were created and coded
Connectivity scale coding Three items were used to create the persistent connectivity hardship scale. Two questions were asked of mobile users (owners and sharers), and one question was asked of non-users. If an individual’s response on any item related to connectivity was coded as hardship, the individual was considered to have a persistent connectivity issue. ASKED ONLY OF MOBILE USERS (OWNERS AND SHARERS) Q21b. How often do you have problems getting a reliable mobile connection?
Appendix D: Older people, more affluent tend to have fewer hardships using mobile devices
In this report, we explored demographic differences associated with mobile phone use and hardships. To do this, we used a hierarchical linear regression to predict the total number of hardships people experience, controlling for other factors that affect mobile phone use. We used Stata’s mixed function to estimate a weighted, mixed-effect linear model with random intercepts by country and robust standard errors.
Appendix C: Co-occurrence rates for each country
About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.
Mobile Divides in Emerging Countries
Mobile phones recharge at a generator-powered charging station in Cebu, Philippines. In emerging economies, people can struggle for access to electricity for their phones. (Jacob Maentz/Corbis via Getty Images) As ownership of mobile phones, especially smartphones, spreads rapidly across the globe, there are still notable numbers of people in emerging economies who do not own a mobile phone, or who share one with others.
Protests in Lebanon highlight ubiquity of WhatsApp, dissatisfaction with government
Women chant slogans during a demonstration in Tripoli, Lebanon, on Oct. 23. (Ibrahim Chaloub/AFP via Getty Images) Lebanese protests that were in part prompted by a proposed tax on the use of the messaging platform WhatsApp have since turned into a broader call for rebuilding the nation’s political and economic system. In response to the demonstrations, Lebanon’s prime minister, Saad Hariri, announced he was resigning at the end of October to make way for a new government.
5 facts about public opinion in Spain as its election nears
Spaniards head to the polls on Sunday for Spain’s fourth election in as many years. The election comes as the Spanish public is especially pessimistic, harbors strong doubts about democracy, and is concerned about inequality, their children’s financial future and the availability of well-paying jobs. That said, overall sentiment about the economy has rebounded in recent years and is the most positive it has been in over a decade.
5 facts about public opinion in Spain as its election nears
Protesters in Madrid wave Spanish flags during a demonstration against Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in February. As the Nov. 10 election nears, Spaniards are largely pessimistic and dissatisfied with the country’s democracy. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) Spaniards head to the polls on Sunday for Spain’s fourth election in as many years.
5 facts about public opinion in Spain as its election nears
Protesters in Madrid wave Spanish flags during a demonstration against Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in February. As the Nov. 10 election nears, Spaniards are largely pessimistic and dissatisfied with the country’s democracy. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) Spaniards head to the polls on Sunday for Spain’s fourth election in as many years.
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