April 19, 2010 3:07 PM

The "Obama Effect"? Perceptions of U.S. Improve Abroad

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
Polling
(Credit: AP)

In what one pollster described as evidence of the "Obama Effect," a new BBC World Service poll finds that America is now viewed as a positive force in the world by more people than view the country as a negative force. (Full poll here [PDF])

This is the first time America has been seen more as a positive than negative influence since the poll began five years ago.

The survey found that the U.S. is seen as having a positive influence in 20 of 28 countries; an average of 46 percent view the country as a positive influence, while 34 percent see it as a negative influence. Negative views of the United States have dropped nine points on average compared to last year, while positive views have increase four points.

Positive views of the United States increased by double digits in Germany, Portugal, Russia and Chile, while negative views declined by double digits in Spain, France and the United Kingdom. America has "motored past" China "in the global soft-power competition," according to pollster Steven Kull of the Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland.

Indeed, perceptions of China are falling, down from 49 percent positive on average in 2005 to 34 percent today, according to the poll.

The most favorably viewed countries overall, according to the survey, are Germany (an average 59 percent positive), Japan (53 percent), the United Kingdom (52 percent) and Canada (51 percent.) Least favorably viewed: Iran (15 percent), Pakistan (16 percent), North Korea (17 percent) and Israel (19 percent.)

The only two countries in the survey where more than half had a negative view of the U.S. are Turkey and Pakistan.


Add a Comment See all 12 Comments
by babooph April 21, 2010 8:29 PM EDT
Obama had a layup here-Charles Manson would have improved the US image...
Reply to this comment
by dancingmoon April 21, 2010 6:42 PM EDT
by Empire-George- April 20, 2010 11:09 AM EDT

Do you not realize that this is not about wanting to win some popularity contest?

When other countries and the people of those countries view the US as a positive force rather than a negative force people are less likely to want to annihilate us and less likely to support those who would like to annihilate us.

This strengthens our security.
Reply to this comment
by msjb1 April 21, 2010 12:51 PM EDT
WHERE
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by nolieshere April 20, 2010 11:33 AM EDT
'W' is not a very hard act to follow when it comes to perception of our nation.
Reply to this comment
by Zann-Zel April 20, 2010 10:09 AM EDT
Why is the comment I put here yesterday gone? : (

I am very happy that other nations are seeing us as a respectable nation again, and also still seeing us as a strong nation.

I didn't like being thought of as a bully at all.

Thank You Obama! : )
Reply to this comment
by Empire-George- April 20, 2010 11:09 AM EDT
by Zann-Zel April 20, 2010 10:09 AM EDT

I know, you libs want to see America "put in its place"....or knocked down a couple notches, right ? Being loved is our primary concern, not our security or our strenghth, but being liked and loved by others, right ?

You don't like America do you ? you wish to change it, make us weaker, so we can't be a "bully" as you put it.

Then everyone will like us, because we will be weak like them.....you don't want us being any stronger then anyone else, right Zann-Zel ?

Being the superpower disturbs you and your fellow liberals.
by actornaught April 20, 2010 12:31 PM EDT
by Empire-George- April 20, 2010 11:09 AM EDT
...I know, you libs want to see America "put in its place"....
...

I stopped reading right there. You are very very confused. If you're paid to post here, you're paid too much.
by RobAla April 20, 2010 12:12 AM EDT
Of course. Europe has a form of Socialist Democracy; and the norm is high unemployment and massive taxes. They see him putting us in the same boat. I frankly don't care for what Europe has, and I am not so concerned with whether they think we are "cool" or not. Good grief.
Reply to this comment
by wfw3536 April 19, 2010 10:13 PM EDT
This article should talk more about how our relations with Israel are at a 60 year low. Our most trusted ally in the middle east and Obama lets Iran keep building the bomb. Russia loves us as we gave in and Obama decided to keep US missiles out of eastern Europe and we got nothing in return. This is what you call a very weak foreign policy.
Reply to this comment
by tiredofeverything April 19, 2010 4:56 PM EDT
"While it is not among the most favourably viewed nations, the improvement in the ratings of the United States means it has now overtaken China in terms of positive perceptions."

LOL Shows you just how bad Americas rep took a beating under Bush/Cheney.

Newsflash for Americans, most of the rest of the world LIKES Obama.
It's only certain 'types' of Americans that hate and vilify him.
Reply to this comment
by tsigili April 19, 2010 4:21 PM EDT
You have to be kidding. Europeans call Obama "Jimmy Jr"......referring to the spend thrift ways of Carter.

Maybe the middle east likes him.....but that is probably because he didn't favor Israel....and no other reason. Having the middle east like our President is a little questionable, in my view.
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