Pakistan among 10 most unpopular countries in US: poll

[mujahideen]

Pakistan among 10 most unpopular countries in US: poll

By Anwar Iqbal

WASHINGTON, March 9: Pakistan and Afghanistan are among the 10 most unpopular countries in the United States despite their close ties to the US administration, says a recent survey by Gallup, USA.

Iran tops the list of nations that are viewed unfavourably in America. An overwhelming majority – 88 per cent – of respondents to this survey said they view Iran unfavourably while only 8 per cent said they viewed it favourably.

Of 22 countries rated in Gallup’s 2008 World Affairs survey, Canada, Britain, Germany, and Japan were viewed favourably by at least 80 per cent of Americans.

In some cases – Iran, Venezuela and North Korea – the popular perception endorsed the official policy as all these countries are also denigrated by the US administration. Besides Afghanistan and Pakistan, others on the unfavourable list are Saudi Arabia and Iraq. These countries are counted among America’s closest allies by the administration but do not enjoy a favourable image in the American public.

Pakistan is 6th on the list with 72 per cent respondents saying they see it unfavourably while 22 per cent viewed it favourably.

Afghanistan comes right after Pakistan with 73 per cent Americans saying they view it unfavourably while 21 per cent see it favourably.

Second on the negative list is North Korea with 82 per cent viewing it unfavourably and 12 per cent favourably.

The Palestinian Authority is third: 75 per cent view it unfavourably and 14 per cent favourably.

Iraq, where the United States is engaged in an apparently unwinnable war, is the 4th most unpopular nation in the United States: 77 per cent view it unfavourably and 20 per cent favourably.

Cuba did slightly better than both Pakistan and Afghanistan: 67 percent view it unfavourably and 27 per cent favourably.

Saudi Arabia is 8th on this list, with 61 per cent Americans viewing it unfavourably and 31 per cent favourably.

Venezuela is 9th, with 50 per cent viewing it unfavourably and 37 per cent favourably.

China is 10th, with 55 per cent viewing it unfavourably and 42 per cent favourably.

A total of 1,007 Americans – aged 18 and older – were interviewed for this survey, which has a margin of error of plus minus 3 per cent.

Not all respondents viewed the countries as favourably or unfavourably. A small minority remained neutral, saying that it had no views.

Canada came out as the most favoured nation with 92 per cent saying they view it favourably while 89 per cent favoured Britain, 82 per cent liked Germany and 80 per cent backed Japan.

Canada and Britain have topped Gallup’s country rankings each of the 12 times since 1989, although in most cases Canada has led Britain by a few percentage points.

The only other country to approach 90 per cent favourability over the years has been Australia. On each of the three occasions it was included in Gallup’s country list, including last year, it ranked just as high as Britain.

Following the top four, Israel receives a 71 per cent favourable rating, similar to the 69 per cent for both India and France. About 6 in 10 Americans have a favourable view of Egypt, South Korea, and Mexico.

Americans are about equally divided in their views of Russia and Kenya, with a fairly large percentage (21) having no opinion of Kenya.

Iran, North Korea, the Palestinian Authority, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Cuba are viewed more negatively than positively by a greater than 2-to-1 margin. Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and China have somewhat more moderately negative images.

Gallup finds some significant generational and partisan gaps in favourability toward some countries.

Israel, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq are all viewed more favourably by Republicans than by Democrats.

France, Mexico, China, Venezuela, and Cuba are all viewed more favourably by Democrats than by Republicans.

Two of the starkest demographic distinctions in survey ratings are age differences in perceptions of Russia and China.

About 6 in 10 young adults (those aged 18 to 34) have a favourable view of these countries, compared with no more than half of middle-aged adults and only about a third of those 55 and older.

Younger adults are also more likely than those 55 and older to have favourable views of France, Egypt, Mexico, Kenya, Venezuela, Cuba, the Palestinian Authority, North Korea, and Iran.

Pakistan among 10 most unpopular countries in US: poll -DAWN - Top Stories; March 10, 2008

 

[ashfaque]

Though it should not matter a lot for Pakistan. But perception is important.

It is necessary to analyze what pakistan has gained in last 6-7 years participating in global war on terror? Economic gain with double digit inflation? Or more amunation? Or some thing really good

 

[solid snake]

Israel, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq are all viewed more favourably by Republicans than by Democrats.

I hate democrats.

 

[mujahideen]

I hate democrats.

Well you and I both voted for them.

 

[Cheetah786]

Average American also don't no where Canada is they are also the ones who voted George bush twice who practically destroyed there economy.

 

[maqsad]

These opinions are a direct result of the well organised hate campaigns in the American media against Pakistan, most "muslim" countries as well as China, Cuba etc. Most American's can't find these places on the map let alone recite anything they know about the countries except "they are muslims" or "they are ayrabs".

Obviously most of this hatred is the result of spoonfed propaganda.

 

[blain2]

The likes and dislikes are essentially based on what they are fed on the national media....as such the results are not anything surprising.

 

[IceCold]

To hell with them. Like we give a damn about it.

 

[moha199]

To hell with them. Like we give a damn about it.

lol you are so funny lol well i would say we should give a dam abot it haha

 

[Energon]

Here's an interesting perspective I found published in the Dawn's op-ed section.

The enemy lies within



NOTWITHSTANDING its status as a long-standing, trusted and, above all, a key ally of the United States in the ongoing war against terrorism, Pakistan remains among the most unpopular countries in the eyes of American citizens. To be precise, a recent Gallup survey found Pakistan to be sixth on this rather unfavourable top-ten chart. The most obvious conclusion that can be drawn on the basis of the findings of the survey is that the millions spent in the last few years in the name of image-building and hiring lobby firms to work on the country’s perception in the eyes of the world have basically done nothing except being a drain on the national kitty. That apart, the fact of the matter is that no amount of funds can do the trick in the face of the heavy odds placed in the way of having a positive image abroad. On this count at least, the problem lies with us, not with the Americans or anyone else for that matter. Why else would we have a low image as a nation in the brotherly Muslim countries dotting the Persian Gulf and the Middle East?

For starters, with the kind of security environment that we have in the country, can we really expect foreigners to carry positive impressions of the country? The almost constant turmoil prevailing at the level of the state machinery does not make for any confident, upbeat copy in international media either. However, in the specific context of the Gallup 2008 World Affairs Survey, which sought opinions from ordinary citizens, what should have mattered almost as much as anything else, if not more, would have been the conduct of the community of non-resident Pakistanis. The lack of

integration that immigrant Pakistanis are known to exercise in their day-to-day activities is understandably a big turn-off for the natives. This is not to suggest that they should forget their geographical or cultural roots in attempting assimilation, but just that they have to sincerely respect the social norms of that society. After all, immigration is a voluntary act and not something forced on anyone. Unwarranted criticism as well as holier-than-thou acts of condescension are not going to win them many hearts. Add to it the general reputation as lawbreakers that the Pakistani diaspora is slapped with — from credit-card fraud to piracy and even terrorism — and one can easily find out why is it what it is. A single moment of honest introspection would be enough to suggest that the enemy lies within, not without.

 

[Spring Onion]

Pakistan among 10 most unpopular countries in US: poll

and US is the most popular country in Pakistan and the World.

 

[Energon]

and US is the most popular country in Pakistan and the World.

The US is a highly desirable migratory destination for many Pakistanis

 

[Spring Onion]

The US is a highly desirable migratory destination for many Pakistanis

For everyone who wants to get paid in high valued dollors.
They are not paid alms. they earn by hardworking.

 

[Energon]

For everyone who wants to get paid in high valued dollors.
They are not paid alms. they earn by hardworking.

Thank you for missing the point altogether.

As much as the world maligns the US, many people still desire to live and work here.

 

[Spring Onion]

Thank you for missing the point altogether.

As much as the world maligns the US, many people still desire to live and work here.

I did not miss the point. I understand what you say.

Lets take it this way, The US citizens are fed media propoganda. Many even would not be knowing much about Pakistan.

Plus as always these surveys which are conducted through internet can never be called authentic and voice of all the Americans or Pakistanis.


As far popularity of US and people's desire to go there indeed is not based on hate or love.

Nor all the Pakistani consider the Americans as bad. The American people are as much innocent as ours. We have no reason to hate them nor they have any.
Except the wrong policies of US leaders stemed from desire to bring the world under their boots which also added suffering to humanity.