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March 28, 2005
Aussie attitudes
The Lowy Institute in Australia has a new poll out -- "the most comprehensive single survey ever taken of Australian public opinion on international policy" -- that yields some interesting results. Some highlights, with my thoughts embedded:
- 57% of Australians are "very worried" or "fairly worried" about Islamic fundamentalism as a potential threat -- the same number that are worried about U.S. foreign policies. One caveat is that nuclear proliferation and international terrorism were each polled as different and separate threats, and each polled higher than Islamic fundamentalism and U.S. foreign policy. But still, it's a rather startling equivalency.
- China's growing power worries only 35% of Australians, and while only 34% favor the free trade agreement with the United States, 51% favor a similar agreement with China. Proximity clearly seems to matter to Australians.
- The same percentage of Australians -- 75% -- think improving the global environment is as important a foreign policy goal as is strengthening the Australian economy and protecting the jobs of Australian workers. This is similar to U.S. public opinion inasmuch as economic interests rank high, but it differs in the strong Australian emphasis on environmental concerns.
- 51% of Australians oppose their country's continuing military involvement in Iraq -- a majority, but not a resounding one. Australians, somewhat to my surprise, seem about as torn over Iraq as Americans.
- 94% of Australians have positive feelings toward New Zealand, 86% toward the United Kingdom, 84% toward Japan, 69% toward China, 58% toward the United States, and 52% toward Indonesia. The friendliness toward Kiwis is understandable, but it is notable that Australians are almost as positive toward Japan (a former territorial threat) as they are toward the United Kingdom (with which Australia shares a head of state). The U.S. ranking is notably low, but the hesitancy with Indonesia -- populous, Muslim, and close -- is understandable.
Take a look at the survey itself for some more good stuff. Also check out the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations for U.S. public opinion surveys on international issues and the Pew Global Attitudes Project for surveys of other countries. The Program on International Policy Attitudes has a little of both. It's important to note that these surveys are just snapshots in time, and that public opinion doesn't make diplomacy. But the information these surveys offer is valuable nonetheless, especially in comparative terms, and ideally, they serve to inform those who actually make policy.
Posted by Daniel Widome at 10:45 PM to Australia/NZ
