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What Australia Thinks of America
The majority of Australians (65%) think "America is the only superpower in the world and it can do what it likes"; and for most (62%) America does not scare them, a special 11 nation BBC Poll1 found in Australia. The nations covered were Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Russia, South Korea, the UK and the USA. Australians still hold more favourable (63%) than unfavourable (29%) views of America and Americans – but not President Bush (49% unfavourable, 45% favourable). However, Australians are not of the view that everything American is good or should be copied. Australians distinguish between policies, cultural issues, products, entertainment, and sociopolitical structures and approaches. The majority of Australians (61%) agree with US policy on terrorism (only 33% disagree) but more disagree than agree with most other areas of US policy (the one exception being AIDS where 25% agree, 17% disagree and most (58%) can’t say). Agreement with US policies:
Australians see Americans as:
Australians’ attitudes to US in its superpower role are generally positive. A majority believe:
The proportion of Australians who like different aspects of American culture varies:
American products that come to mind first are: Coca cola (33%), McDonalds (15%), Nike (3%), Budweiser (3%) and Levis (2%). However, while Australians believe:
The majority believe:
When asked about the long-term effect of US economic policies on Australia, more Australians believed the US economic policies make Australia poorer (45%) than richer (26%), 15% believed there is no effect and 14% couldn’t say. However, Australians are clear that the way America runs its economy should not be copied (82%). A majority of Australians (52%) believe "Globalisation" to be synonymous with "Americanisation" (46% disagree); and when asked what things about America Australia should aspire to achieve, "scientific and technological innovation" topped the list (69%). All other aspects of America that Australia could aspire to achieve were mentioned by minorities ranging from:
When compared with America, Australians see greatest danger to world peace coming from:
Australians are divided on the issue of America’s military power and its impact on world safety – 42% believe America’s military power makes the world a safer place; 39% that it makes the world a more dangerous place. Most (58%) felt that the American military could do more to avoid civilian casualties in military conflicts. A bare majority of Australians now support the American position in Iraq. 50% believe America’s military presence has helped to bring peace and stability to the area; 40% disagree. 53% believe America was right to invade Iraq (38% say wrong). 67% believe life for the Iraq people will be better following the fall of Saddam Hussein. However, few Australians (34%) expect the American occupation in Iraq to result in an Independent Iraq regime. Most likely, they believe Iraq will be an American influenced regime (49%) or an American Colonial regime (10%). This special Australia-wide telephone Morgan Poll was conducted for the BBC television programme "What the World Thinks of America". ICM Research, a leading UK market research and public opinion polling company, commissioned the international poll for the BBC in 11 countries. In Australia Roy Morgan Research interviewed an Australia-wide cross-section of 1,009 electors on May 22-28, 2003. The BBC survey was also conducted in Brazil, Canada, France, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Russia, South Korea, the UK and the USA. For further information: Gary Morgan: Office: (03) 9224 5213 Mobile: 0411 129 094 Home: (03) 9419 3242
ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE US AND ITS PRESIDENT Respondents were first asked: "Q1. In general, how would you say you feel towards America? Would you say your attitude towards America is very favourable, fairly favourable, fairly unfavourable or very unfavourable?" They were then asked: "Q2. And thinking specifically about President George W. Bush of America. Would you say your attitude towards President George W. Bush is very favourable, fairly favourable, fairly unfavourable or very unfavourable?" The majority (63%) of Australians had a favourable attitude towards the US (19% very favourable, 44% fairly favourable), while 29% viewed the US unfavourably (11% very unfavourable, 18% fairly unfavourable). Australians' attitudes towards US President George W. Bush were split, with 45% viewing him favourably (11% very, 34% fairly) and 49% viewing him unfavourably (26% very, 23% fairly). Attitude towards the USA and President George W. Bush
There was little difference in attitudes to the US across genders and age groups. Slightly more men (66%) than women (61%) felt favourable towards the US. Those aged 50 or over (66%) were most likely to feel favourable towards the US and those aged 35-49 (60%) were least likely. "Q1. In general, how would you say you feel towards America? Would you say your attitude towards America is very favourable, fairly favourable, fairly unfavourable or very unfavourable?"
The majority of men (52%) had a favourable attitude towards US President George W. Bush, while the majority of women (55%) viewed him unfavourably. There was little difference in attitudes to President Bush across the age groups, with those aged 18-24 (51%) and 35-49 (51%) only slightly more likely to view him unfavourably than those aged 25-34 (47%) or 50 and over (48%).
"Q2. And thinking specifically about President George W. Bush of America. Would you say your attitude towards President George W. Bush is very favourable, fairly favourable, fairly unfavourable or very unfavourable?"
AGREEMENT WITH AMERICAN POLICIES Respondents were then asked: "Q3. I would like to read out a list of important world issues. Based on what you know, do you yourself agree or disagree with American policy on…
The majority (61%) of Australian electors agreed with American policy on terrorism, with 33% disagreeing and 6% didn't know. More Australians agreed (25%) than disagreed (17%) with American policy on the spread of AIDS, although a large 58% didn't know. More Australian electors disagreed than agreed with American policy on global warming (46% disagree, 21% agree), nuclear proliferation (41% disagree, 33% agree) and world poverty (38% disagree, 27% agree). On the issue of American policy on Israel and Palestine, Australian electors were split, with 39% disagreeing and 35% agreeing. Twenty-six percent didn't know.
"Based on what you know, do you yourself agree or disagree with American policy on…"
OPINION OF AMERICANS Respondents were also asked: "Q4. In your opinion, which of the following BEST describes Americans?
Overall, Australians viewed Americans as free (73%), arrogant (72%) but friendly (61%), united (64%) and religious (64%). Q4A. Arrogant or humble? The majority (72%) of Australians viewed Americans as arrogant, with only 11% viewing them as humble, 12% as neither and 5% didn't know. There was little difference between the views of men and women. Those aged 35-49 (78%) were the most likely to view Americans as arrogant, followed by 25-34 year olds (73%), 18-24 year olds (70%) and those aged 50 or over (68%).
Q4B. Antagonistic or friendly? The majority (61%) of Australians viewed Americans as friendly, with 27% viewing them as antagonistic, 6% as neither and 6% didn't know. Men (64%) were more likely than women (58%) to view Americans as friendly. The likelihood of viewing Americans as friendly increased with age - 55% of those aged 18-34 saw them as friendly, as did 59% of 35-49 year olds and 67% of those aged 50 or over.
Q4C. United or divided? Most Australians (64%) believed that Americans are united. Twenty-eight percent believed they were divided, while 4% didn't see them as either and another 4% didn't know. Men (70%) were more likely than women (59%) to view Americans as united. Those aged 25-34 (68%) were most likely to view Americans as united, followed by those aged 50 or over (65%) and those aged 18-24 (62%) and 25-49 (also 62%).
Q4D. Religious or not religious? Most Australians (64%) viewed Americans as religious, with 24% viewing them as "not religious", 4% as neither and 8% didn't know. There was little difference across the genders - 65% of men viewed Americans as religious compared with 62% of women. Those aged 35 or over (35-49 - 68%, 50+ - 67%) were more likely to view Americans as religious than those aged under 35 years (18-24 - 56%, 25-34 - 58%).
Q4E. Free or not free? The majority (73%) of Australians believed that Americans are free (to do or say or be who or what they like). Twenty-one percent believed that Americans are not free, 3% neither and another 3% didn't know. There was little difference across the genders - 74% of men believed Americans are free, as did 71% of women. Those aged 50 or over (76%) were most likely to view Americans as free, followed by those aged 25-34 (74%) and 18-24 (72%). Those aged 35-49 (68%) were least likely to view Americans as free.
AGREEMENT WITH STATEMENTS ABOUT THE US Respondents were then asked: "Q5. Here are some things people have said about America. For each one I read out, please say whether you agree or disagree.
Most Australians believed that:
(Note: There was no Q6.) ASPECTS OF AMERICAN CULTURE THAT AUSTRALIANS LIKE AND DISLIKE Respondents were asked: "Q7. Generally speaking, do you tend to like or dislike:
The majority of Australians liked American movies (77%) and popular music (62%). More Australians liked than disliked American television (liked - 48%, disliked - 42%), clothing (liked - 48%, 24%) and drinks (liked - 42%, disliked - 39%). When it came to American internet websites, more Australians liked (29%) than disliked (22%) them, but a large 49% couldn't say. Most Australians (52%) disliked American food.
Things liked and disliked about American culture:
AMERICAN PRODUCTS Respondents were also asked: "Q8. If I ask you to name an American product, what is the first thing that comes to mind?" Coca-cola (33%), McDonald's (15%), Nike (3%), Budweiser (3%) and Levis (2%) were the most mentioned products. THE INFLUENCE OF AMERICAN CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND ENTERTAINMENT IN AUSTRALIA Respondents were asked: "Q9. Do you think that the influence of American consumer products and entertainment in Australia is too great, too little or is about right?" The majority (68%) of Australians thought that American consumer products and entertainment had too great an influence in Australia, while 29% thought that it was about right and only 1% thought that it had too little influence.
IS AUSTRALIA MORE CULTURED THAN AMERICA? Respondents were then asked: "Q10. Do you think that Australia is more cultured than America? By 'cultured' we mean showing or having good taste, manners, upbringing and education." Most Australians (63%) thought that Australia is more cultured than America, while 19% thought that Australia was less cultured and 18% didn't know. Women (68%) were more likely than men (58%) to think that Australia is more cultured than America.
WHICH IS THE BETTER PLACE TO LIVE? Respondents were also asked: "Q11. Overall, do you think that America is a better place to live than Australia?" Not surprisingly, 93% of Australians thought that America was not a better place to live than Australia. Only 1% of respondents believed that America was a better place to live and 6% didn't know.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE IN AMERICA? Respondents were then asked: "Q12. If you had the chance, would you like to live in America?" Sixteen percent of Australians said that they would like to live in America, given the chance, while 82% would not. Not surprisingly, younger people were more likely than older people to like the chance to live in America (18-24 year olds - 29%, 25-34 year olds - 27%, 35-49 year olds - 12%, aged 50 or over - 9%).
IS AUSTRALIA BECOMING MORE LIKE AMERICA? Respondents were asked: "Q13. Do think over time this country is becoming more like America or less like America, or is there no movement one way or the other?" The majority (81%) of Australians thought that over time Australia was becoming more like America, while 15% thought that there was no movement one way or the other. Only 3% of people thought that Australia was becoming less like America with 1% remaining undecided.
THE EFFECT OF AMERICAN ECONOMIC POLICIES ON AUSTRALIA Respondents were asked: "Q14. In the longer term, do you think American economic policies make this country richer, poorer or do they have no effect one way or the other?" More Australians believed that American economic policies made Australia poorer (45%) than richer (26%), while 15% believed that it had no effect and 14% couldn't say. Men (31%) were more likely than women (20%) to think that American economic policies made Australia richer. Younger people were more likely than older people to think that it made Australia richer (18-24 year olds - 46%, 25-34 year olds - 29%, 35-49 year olds - 23%, aged 50 or over - 19%).
SHOULD AUSTRALIA COPY THE WAY AMERICA RUNS ITS ECONOMY? Respondents were then asked: "Q15. As far as you understand it, do you think that the way America runs its economy should be copied in this country or not?" Most Australians (82%) thought that Australia should not copy the way America runs its economy. Only 8% thought that Australia should copy America and 10% didn't know.
GLOBALISATION OR AMERICANISATION Respondents were then asked: "Q16. Some people have said that when people use the word 'globalisation', what they actually mean is 'Americanisation'. Do you agree or disagree with this?" Most Australians (52%) agreed that people mean 'Americanisation' when they use the word 'globalisation', although nearly as many (46%) disagreed. Two percent didn't know.
WHAT THINGS ABOUT AMERICA SHOULD AUSTRALIA ASPIRE TO ACHIEVE? Respondents were asked: "Q17. Which of the following things about America do you think your own country should aspire to achieve?
The majority (69%) of Australians believed that Australia should aspire to achieve American scientific and technological innovation, 44% believed that Australia should aspire to the economic opportunities for people and 41% believed that Australia should aspire to America's standards of freedom of expression for the people. Only a third (33%) of Australians believed that Australia should aspire to American democratic institutions and 19% to its military power. A low 8% thought that Australia should aspire to achieve American popular culture. Twelve percent did not think that Australia should aspire to any of these things and 2% didn't know.
* multiple answers allowed WHO IS MORE DANGEROUS TO WORLD PEACE AND STABILITY? Respondents were also asked: "Q18. Which of these two do you think is the more dangerous to world peace and stability?
Al Qaeda (US - 21%, Al Qaeda - 71%), North Korea (US - 26%, North Korea - 65%), Iran (US - 38%, Iran - 51%) and China (US - 38%, China - 48%) were all seen by Australians as more dangerous to world peace and stability than the US. Slightly more Australians thought that Syria (43%) was more dangerous than the US (40%). America was seen by the majority of Australians as more dangerous to world peace and stability than France (US - 56%, France - 27%) and Russia (US - 55%, Russia - 31%).
IMPACT OF AMERICA'S MILITARY POWER ON THE WORLD Respondents were asked: "Q19. George W. Bush has said that 'America has, and intends to keep, military strengths beyond challenge.' Does America's superior military power make the world a safer place, a more dangerous place or does it make no difference?" Australians were split on this issue, with 42% thinking that America's superior military power makes the world a safer place and 39% that it makes the world a more dangerous place. Fourteen percent thought that it made no difference, while 5% didn't know. Men (48%) were more likely than women (35%) to think that America's military power made the world a safer place. Older people were more likely than younger people to think that it makes the world a safer place (aged 50 or over - 49%, 35-49 year olds - 39%, 25-34 year olds - 38%, 18-24 year olds - 29%).
AVOIDING CIVILIAN CASUALTIES Respondents were asked: "Q20. In military conflicts, do you think that the American military does enough to avoid civilian casualties or could it do more?" Most Australians (58%) thought that the American military could do more to avoid civilian casualties in military conflicts, with 37% thinking that they did enough. Five percent didn't know. Women (65%) were more likely than men (51%) to think that the American military could do more to avoid civilian casualties.
PEACE AND STABILITY IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD Respondents were asked: "Q21. Thinking about the American military presence in this part of the world, do you agree or disagree that it has helped to bring peace and stability to the area?" Half (50%) of Australians agreed that the American military presence in this part of the world had helped to bring peace and stability to the area. Forty percent disagreed and 10% didn't know. Men (57%) were more likely than women (42%) to think that American military presence had helped to bring peace and stability to the area.
THE INVASION OF IRAQ Respondents were asked: "Q22. Do you think that America was right or wrong to invade Iraq?" The majority (53%) of Australians thought that America was right to invade Iraq, while 38% thought that it was wrong and 9% didn't know. Men (58%) were more likely than women (50%) to think that America's invasion of Iraq was right.
LIFE FOR THE IRAQI PEOPLE Respondents were asked: "Q23. Do you think life for the Iraqi people will be better following the fall of Saddam Hussein, will it be worse or will the fall of Saddam Hussein make no difference one way or the other?" The majority (67%) of Australians thought that life for the Iraqi people would be better following the fall of Saddam Hussein, 18% thought that it would make no difference and only 7% thought that it would be worse. Eight percent didn't know. More men (72%) than women (63%) thought that life would now be better for the Iraqi people.
OCCUPATION OF IRAQ Finally, respondents were asked: "Q24. Do you think America's occupation of Iraq (with Britain) will result in any of the following?
Australians were more likely to think that America's occupation of Iraq would result in an American influenced regime (49%) than an independent Iraqi regime (34%) or an American colonial regime (10%). Two percent did not think it would result in any of these options and 5% didn't know.
1 Commissioned internationally for the BBC by UK market research company ICM Research.
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