2007-07-23-皮尤-A_Rising_Tide_Lifts_Mood_in_the_Developing_World_168页_2mb

Summary of the Pew Global Attitudes Survey (2002-2007)

Core Content

The Pew Global Attitudes Survey, conducted across 47 nations from 2002 to 2007, highlights a general improvement in mood and satisfaction among populations in the developing world, driven by economic growth. However, this trend is not uniform across all regions, and in many advanced nations, satisfaction levels have remained stable or declined.

Main Points

• Global Satisfaction Trends:

  • Overall, people in the developing world are more satisfied with their lives and national conditions than they were in 2002, especially in regions with significant economic growth.
  • The gap between satisfaction in advanced and developing nations has narrowed, but citizens in rich countries remain happier and more satisfied.
  • Economic growth is strongly correlated with improved satisfaction with personal life, family income, and national conditions.

• Regional Highlights:

  • Latin America: Satisfaction with national conditions and economies has increased significantly, with countries like Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, and Venezuela showing the most dramatic improvements.
  • Eastern Europe: There has been a notable rise in satisfaction with national conditions and government influence, especially in countries like Russia and Slovakia.
  • Asia: Satisfaction has improved, but not as significantly as in Latin America and Eastern Europe. China and India show the highest levels of satisfaction.
  • Africa: Despite economic growth, satisfaction with personal life and national conditions remains low. However, optimism about the future is widespread.
  • Middle East: A significant decline in Muslim support for suicide bombing and Islamic extremism has been observed, with the exception of the Palestinian territories.

• Key Economic Indicators:

  • Per capita GDP growth has been linked to rising satisfaction levels in many developing countries.
  • Countries with the highest GDP growth include East Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia.
  • The U.S. and Western Europe have seen relatively modest GDP growth, with satisfaction levels either stable or declining.

• Public Opinion on National Conditions and Governments:

  • In most developing countries, people express more positive views of their national governments and leaders as a result of economic improvements.
  • Exceptions include the U.S., Britain, and the Czech Republic, where satisfaction with government has declined despite economic growth.
  • In some cases, economic growth has not translated into improved satisfaction with national conditions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

• Attitudes Toward Terrorism and Extremism:

  • Muslim publics in several countries have shown declining support for suicide bombing and other forms of civilian violence, indicating a broader shift away from Islamic extremism.
  • The Palestinian territories remain an exception, with high levels of support for suicide bombing.
  • Confidence in Osama bin Laden has also declined among Muslims, with the exception of the Palestinian territories.

• Future Outlook:

  • Africans, despite current hardships, are more optimistic about the future than citizens in advanced nations.
  • In many developing countries, a majority believes that their children will have a better life than they do today.
  • In contrast, advanced countries like France and Germany show more pessimism about the future for their youth.

Key Information

• Economic Growth and Satisfaction:

  • There is a clear correlation between per capita GDP growth and public satisfaction with personal life, family income, and national conditions.
  • However, satisfaction with job and family life has not shown the same correlation.

• Regional Variations:

  • Latin America: Satisfaction with national conditions and economies has increased, even with the rise of leftist leaders.
  • Africa: While satisfaction is low, optimism about the future is high.
  • Middle East: Declining support for suicide bombing, but high support in the Palestinian territories.
  • Europe: Advanced nations show little change in satisfaction, with some countries like France and Germany expressing more pessimism.

• Public Perception of Government:

  • In many developing countries, government satisfaction has risen, but in some advanced countries, it has declined.
  • The U.S. and France are among the countries with the lowest levels of satisfaction with national conditions and government influence.

• Health and Social Issues:

  • In Africa, despite concerns about diseases like AIDS, testing rates remain low, though willingness to test is high.
  • The survey includes in-depth questions on democracy and media coverage, especially in Africa, through a partnership with The New York Times and the Hewlett Foundation.

Conclusion

The Pew Global Attitudes Survey indicates that economic growth has positively influenced public sentiment in many developing regions, leading to greater satisfaction with personal and national conditions. However, this growth has not translated into improved satisfaction with jobs or family life. In contrast, advanced nations have seen little change or even declines in satisfaction. The survey also highlights a growing rejection of Islamic extremism among Muslims, except in the Palestinian territories, and widespread optimism about the future across Africa and parts of Asia.