LivreVoiceWorkingCopy 3/2/06 10:37 AM Page 1 LivreVoiceWorkingCopy 3/2/06 10:37 AM Page 2 LivreVoiceWorkingCopy 3/2/06 10:37 AM Page 3 LivreVoiceWorkingCopy 3/2/06 10:37 AM Page 4 LivreVoiceWorkingCopy 3/2/06 10:37 AM Page 5 FOREWORD ore than 5,000 interviewers worldwide polled 53,749 people from the African savannah, through the city of London, the Russian M steppe, the mountains of Pakistan, the islands of Indonesia, the Peruvian Andes, to New York, and right on up to the great Canadian North — in order to gather their opinions on major global and national issues. The most prestigious polling association in the world, Gallup International Association (GIA), has addressed this huge challenge in order to publish this unique document on the status of global public opinion. Voice of the People, 2006 edition, expresses the concerns of the world’s population on globaliza- tion, the economy, poverty, democracy, religion, immigration, and health, as well as social and political issues. The book is based on a poll conducted — according to the high standards of GIA, which ensure the quality and strength of the data collected — in 68 countries. In each country, Gallup International Association managed every step of the process rigorously, while adapting the methodology to cultural differences and local realities — as illustrated in the amazing photos found in this edition. Of course this survey is primarily numbers, but it is also — above all — citi- zens expressing their lives through their joys, sorrows, and hopes. LivreVoiceWorkingCopy 3/2/06 10:37 AM Page 6 VOICE OF THE PEOPLE I had the honour and the pleasure of being supported during this project by the Chairman of TNS and President of Gallup International Association, Tony Cowling. I also had the support of outstanding pollsters in their area of expertise: Mari Harris and Margit Cleveland in Africa, Marita Carballo and Henk Foekema in Europe, Ijaz Gilani and Kevin Meyer in Asia, Constanza Cilley and Ricardo Hermelo in South America, and Serge Lafrance in North America, as well as 60 members of GIA who managed local surveys. I am also grateful for managerial support from the London group, which includes the dynamic Meril James and the conscientious Selina Ames, and, here in Montreal, my efficient assistant, Danielle St-Onge. May this book enlighten all those who seek a better world. Jean-Marc Léger March 2006 LivreVoiceWorkingCopy 3/2/06 10:37 AM Page 7 CONTENTS Introduction The Voice of the People in a Democratic World. 15 u Author Bio . 20 Chapter 1 International Challenges for Economic and Physical Security . 21 Reducing the Major Gap Between the Rich and the Poor. 21 Economic Security . 24 Physical Security . 25 International Problems: Local Issues . 27 Hope Grows for Tomorrow . 31 u Notes . 33 u Bibliography. 34 u Author Bio . 35 Chapter 2 The Global Verdict on Democracy: Admiration for the Norm, Disillusionment with the Practice . 37 Background . 38 Global Views on Democracy in 2005 . 41 Admiration for the Norm of Democracy . 41 Skepticism About the Process of Democracy . 44 Disillusionment with the Outcome of Democracy . 47 Index for Cross-National and Time Series Measurement of Perceptions About Democracy . 51 Perceived Democracy Index . 51 Index of Disillusionment with Democracy . 55 LivreVoiceWorkingCopy 3/2/06 10:37 AM Page 8 VOICE OF THE PEOPLE Conclusion . 58 u Notes . 60 u Author Bio . 61 Chapter 3 The Growing Gap Between Religious and Secular Societies . 63 Religion and Secularization . 63 Gallup International Association’s Millennium Survey: Regions . 66 A Current Socio-Demography of Religiousness . 67 Religion Across Regions and Countries . 70 Influence of Religiousness on Social Issues. 73 Conclusion. 76 u Bibliography. 79 u Author Bio . 80 Chapter 4 Immigration: Boon or Doom? . 81 Introduction. 82 Refugees/Migrants on the Global List of Priorities . 83 Global Opinion on Immigration. 84 The Hostility Index . 85 Factors Influencing Attitudes Toward Immigration. 88 Impact of These Factors . 92 Conclusion . 95 Epilogue: NEPAD in Africa . 96 u Notes . 98 u Author Bio . 99 Chapter 5 How Hunger Affects Public Opinion . 105 The Nature of Hunger . 106 Who Are the Hungry? . 107 Where Do the Hungry Live? . 108 How Hunger Affects Public Opinion . 109 Level of Hunger in Voice of the People Survey Countries . 109 Profile of the Hungry . 112 LivreVoiceWorkingCopy 3/2/06 10:37 AM Page 9 CONTENTS Perspective . 114 Priorities . 115 Conclusion. 116 u Author Bio . 118 Chapter 6 Volunteer Work: A Message of Hope . 119 The Place of Volunteer Work in the World . 120 Voice of the People Survey Results on Volunteerism. 121 Regional Variations . 122 Relationship Between Volunteerism and the Economy . 124 Socio-Demographic Aspects of Volunteerism . 126 Religion and Volunteer Work . 128 Democracy and Volunteer Work . 129 A Closer Look at the Argentinian Economic Crisis and Volunteer Work. 130 Message of Hope . 131 u Note . 133 u Author Bios . 134 Chapter 7 A Breach of Trust: Global Attitudes Towards Leaders . 135 Introduction. 135 Communications in a Changing World . ..