World View of US Continues Slide

The NYT is reporting that the latest Pew Research Center survey of international opinion found that America's standing is in free fall again after a brief upturn following the tsunami aid.

US favorability fell by 18% in Spain and to (to!) 12% in Turkey. More people around the world see the US in Iraq as a greater threat to peace that Iran's nuclear 'ambitions' and in Russia that sentiment prevailed by two to one.

However the most horrifying thing in the entire article was this:

Only 75 percent of Americans had heard reports of abuses at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq and at the American naval base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, while 90 percent of Western Europeans and Japanese had heard about them.

(Emphasis mine). That right wing noise machine is awfully effective.

•  The good news is that some still distinguish

  between Americans and the American Administration.

  Many respondents distinguished between their largely negative feelings about President Bush and their feelings about Americans in general.

  Majorities in 7 of 14 countries polled, not including the United States, had favorable views of Americans, led by Japan, at 82 percent, and Britain, at 69 percent. But majorities in just two countries, India and Nigeria, expressed confidence in Mr. Bush.

  Have to run but I'll be back soon.

  by Athenian on Wed Jun 14, 2006 at 06:44:30 AM PDT

  •  Wow

    Thanks for bringing this new Pew survey to my attention - it will take me a while to digest all the info.

    by dreaminonempty on Wed Jun 14, 2006 at 06:55:05 AM PDT

    •  Glad to be of service. n/t

      by Athenian on Wed Jun 14, 2006 at 11:08:04 AM PDT

•  I wish I could say I was surprized.

  But I feel like I live in a different country than I did 10 years ago, and that change must be magnified for people overseas.

  by Joelarama on Wed Jun 14, 2006 at 06:46:10 AM PDT

  •  Ten years

    is almost exactly how long it has been since I've been back. The only reason I'll come now before W's term expires is to help a Democratic nominee or candidate. If the electorate does not repudiate the party in power the negative poll numbers facing the American will get much worse.

    by Athenian on Wed Jun 14, 2006 at 11:12:04 AM PDT

•  my experience

  I lived in Europe for the duration of Bush's first term. Nothing escaped the notice of the people where I lived, from the ridiculous election in 2000 to the invasion to Abu Ghraib.

  People on average in Europe acquire a much more inclusive education, most notably on matters of history and politics. The progressive view is thoroughly represented there, whereas in the U.S. it's becming a suppressed minority view, constantly associated with traitorousness, carefully excluded from the general media. The ability of average people in Western European countries to interpret and understand world events is generally far greater than that of average Americans. I don't mean a little bit greater. I mean living there one is constantly amazed at the level of political dialogue, and that it really is simply a part of daily life there.

  The news about Abu Ghraib was a turning point. U.S. news reports were pretty sanitized and made sure to avoid the more "anti-American" elements of the story. Not over there. The news showed it all and you could feel it in the air: a permanent stain on the U.S. reputation. It wouldn't be forgotten.

  It's nice to tell ourselves that the foreigners can handily keep separate their feelings for our current regime and for Americans as individuals. But my experience abroad 00-04 showed me that this distinction is more delicate that we optimistically like to think. Unless things turn around the blame is going to be collectivized in the rest of the world's view.

  Upon returning here only to have the Bushies take yet another election, my feelings are somewhat the same. A lot of people here have to pull their heads out of their asses, definitely.

  by gpdx on Wed Jun 14, 2006 at 09:29:29 AM PDT

  •  Very well said.

    I had the opposite experience when I returned to the States for college during Reagan's second term and was appalled by the horrendous quality of TV news and the widespread ignorance about the world and America's actions in it, that it fostered.

    I gather that the quality of TV news has further declined since then... My mind boggles and I weep.

    Certainly the fact that the US is a continental power without local enemies makes it easier to cling to ignorance. What happens overseas rarely affects ordinary Americans whereas what happens to your neighbor in Europe is often of paramount importance.

    As you said: "A permanent stain on the U.S. reputation." This really needs to made clear to all Americans, even the sheltered heartland populations. W and his gang of incompetent malefactors have poured shame on America while making it less safe to be an American.

    Thanks and cheers.

    by Athenian on Wed Jun 14, 2006 at 11:07:01 AM PDT