Thursday, July 23, 2009

Confidence in Obama Lifts U.S. Image Around the World

Most Muslim Publics Not So Easily Moved
July 23
The image of the United States has improved markedly in most parts of the world, reflecting global confidence in Barack Obama. In many countries opinions of the U.S. are now about as positive as they were at the beginning of the decade, before George W. Bush took office. Improvements in the U.S. image have been most pronounced in Western Europe, where favorable ratings have soared. Opinions of America have also become more positive in key countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia. However, the U.S. image has moved little in some predominantly Muslim countries, where deep concerns continue about U.S. policy and America's role in the world despite the president's popularity.
These are the findings of the latest survey by the Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project, which conducted over 26,000 interviews from May 18 to June 16 among 24 nations and the Palestinian territories. In addition to an in-depth examination of the image of America, this report examines attitudes toward the worldwide recession, globalization, China and other major powers, Islamic extremism, the environment and swine flu.
Also at PewGlobal.org, explore a new interactive database allowing you to search public opinion trends in 55 countries on topics ranging from attitudes toward the U.S. to people's assessments of their own lives to views about globalization, democratization, extremism and other important issues.
Results can be displayed in map, table or chart formats: http://pewglobal.org/database/
And for more information on this year's report, watch a slide show with commentary by Pew Research Center President Andrew Kohut: http://pewglobal.org/docs/?DocID=12

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