NEW WORLD ORDER WHOS LOVED, WHOS LOATHED

Views of di erent countries in uence

AVERAGE OF 22 TRACKING COUNTRIES 2011-2012

US (-1)
33 47

UK (-6)
20 51

RUSSIA (-3)
36 31

JAPAN (+2)
21 58

Mainly negative Mainly positive (-) Change since 2011 (+)

World regard for America, which comes eighth in the list of 22 countries, remains largely unchanged since 2011, but the result halts a strong upward momentum in positive regard that had been seen from 2007 to 2011. Of those who voted positively, 38 per cent said they did so because of US foreign policy, as did 53 per cent of those who voted negatively.

Globally, views of the United Kingdom have declined strongly since 2011. The most favourable were found in Nigeria and Kenya, but views in India and Brazil have fallen signi cantly since 2011. EU countries surveyed continue to be largely favourable to the UK, but ratings have slipped. Of those who said the UK in uence in the world is positive, 35 per cent mentioned British foreign policy and 23 per cent mentioned the British economy. Of those holding negative views, the UKs foreign policy was mentioned by 41 per cent, followed by the way Britain treats its people (21 per cent).

Positive views of Russia declined by 3 points to 31 per cent this year. In the US, respondents went from being divided in 2011 to leaning towards negative in 2012. Emerging economies proved warmer in their perception of Moscows in uence: both China and India remain positive overall. One third of those with a negative view cited the Kremlins foreign policy as the top reason for their perception; many also pointed to the governments treatment of its own people as an important factor.

The nation that tops the poll is seen as having the most positive in uence in the world. It is particularly popular in Nigeria and Indonesia, and opinions improved sharply in France and the UK this year. Of those who voted positively, 47 per cent said they favour Japan for its economy, products, and services, and 22 per cent cited Japanese traditions and culture.

GERMANY (-4)
16 56

Where other countries rank

CANADA 14 FRANCE 22 EU 25 BRAZIL 18 INDIA 27 ISRAEL 50 50 55 21 NORTH KOREA 19 IRAN 16 40 45 48 48 53

The most positively regarded nation since 2008 saw its ratings drop from 60 per cent to 56 this year, as part of a wider fall in the positive view of the European Union and European nations. It is now second behind Japan. Favourable ratings for Germany declined by 60 per cent in Spain, perhaps due to Germanys leading role in austerity measures and the eurozone crisis. Views remained fairly constant among French participants.

PAKISTAN (0)
51 16

CHINA (+4)
31 50

Strongly negative: thats the surveys summation of how the world views Pakistan, with perception coloured by the foreign policy of Islamabad and the way the country treats its people. The most unfavourable views are found in the west, with 75 per cent of American respondents viewing the countrys in uence negatively. In the UK, some 73 per cent held a negative view. Interestingly, Pakistanis themselves rated their own countrys in uence in the world negatively.

Chinas hunt for natural resources in Africa has seen the country invest billions in the continent. These links probably go some way in explaining the nearly 90 per cent of respondents in Nigeria, for instance, who were positive about Beijings in uence in the world. In the US, on the other hand, some 46 per cent hold a negative view of the rising power. Only 42 per cent of Americans view Chinas in uence positively.

SOURCE: BBC WORLD SERVICE