Backgrounders

Interest in nuclear power is increasing, but securing adequate uranium supplies for nuclear fuel faces challenges ranging from a flagging mining sector to fears of nuclear weapons proliferation.

Loss of forests is a major contributor to greenhouse-gas emissions. Plans to devise a policy tool for using trees for carbon dioxide sequestration are now under way.

The UN conference on climate change that begins December 7 in Copenhagen is supposed to produce new targets for emissions reductions, but experts say major countries are at odds on the ultimate goal of a new framework. This backgrounder looks at some of their positions.

This page is part of Public Opinion on Global Issues. This publication is now archived. Concern about Terrorism Despite the attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. public is only slightly above the global average in its level of concern about terrorism, with less than half of respondents saying it is a very big problem. However, a large majority says that international terrorism poses a critical threat and that combating international terrorism is a very important foreign policy goal.  Support for Multilateral Action Against Terrorism In general, a large majority of Americans favor having the United Nations play a greater role in the fight against terrorism. Large majorities of U.S. respondents supported the UN Security Council having the right to authorize military force to stop a country from supporting terrorist groups and favored combating terrorism through strengthening the role of international law and enhancing intelligence cooperation. A majority also supports empowering the UN Security Council to require UN member countries to allow UN-sponsored police forces to enter and conduct investigations, as well as provide intelligence on, arrest, and freeze the assets of suspected terrorist groups. Furthermore, a majority of U.S. respondents supports the UN Security Council sending an international military force to capture suspected terrorists if their host country refuses to take action. Finally, a strong majority favors using international judicial bodies for trying terrorists. Regional Cooperation on Terrorism The U.S. public mostly gives poor marks to the quality of transatlantic cooperation in fighting terrorism.  Assessments of U.S. Efforts against Terrorism In assessing the struggle between the United States and al-Qaeda, the predominant public view in the United States has been that neither side is winning. Americans have also been divided as to whether the “war on terror” has weakened or strengthened al-Qaeda. Furthermore, a modest majority of Americans believes that the war in Iraq has increased the threat of terrorist attacks globally.  Principles for Treatment of Terrorism Suspects A majority in the United States rejects the view that, when dealing with terrorism suspects, rules against torture and the secret holding of detainees should be relaxed. A large majority also rejects the view that treaties preventing secret holding of detainees are too restrictive in the context of dealing with the threat of terrorism.  U.S. Treatment of Terrorism Suspects A slight majority of Americans in 2006 believed that the U.S. detention policies in place at that time at Guantanamo were legal. However, they were divided on whether the United States seeks to enforce a policy against torture in investigations of detained terrorist suspects. A majority perceived that U.S. detention of terror suspects has damaged the U.S. image in the world, but most Americans in 2009 opposed closing Guantanamo prison and moving detainees to the United States. 

This page is part of Public Opinion on Global Issues. This publication is now archived. Economic Development and Humanitarian Aid Publics in developed countries express support for giving development assistance to poor countries. Globally, there is a widespread consensus that developed countries have a moral responsibility to work to reduce hunger and severe poverty. There is also a consensus that helping poor countries develop serves the long-term interests of wealthy countries, such as developing trade partners and achieving global stability. In addition, development aid is seen as furthering democracy and, for a more modest number of respondents, as a way to fight terrorism. Besides financial aid, large majorities of European and U.S. respondents express a willingness to contribute troops for humanitarian operations, including providing assistance to victims of war and famine.  Aid Levels and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) There is a strong global consensus that wealthy nations are not doing enough to help poorer nations. Europeans strongly support the view that the European Union should spend more on development aid. At the same time, less than a majority of Europeans favor increasing their taxes to increase aid or say that their own national government should increase its spending. However, when increased spending is placed in the context of a multilateral effort—specifically the Millennium Development Goal of cutting hunger and severe poverty in half —large majorities in the OECD countries say that they would be willing to substantially increase their spending if others did the same. Globally, public awareness of the MDGs remains low. Role of Multilateral Institutions and Aid to Developing Countries There is strong support for multilateral institutions taking the lead in setting aid policies, delivering development assistance, and dealing with refugees.  Linking Aid to Recipient Country Behavior Large majorities of Europeans and Americans favor linking the level of aid given to poor countries to a variety of conditions, including the recipient country’s efforts to fight poverty, corruption, and terrorism, and to promote democracy. Large majorities favor giving aid to help poor countries reduce greenhouse gases as part of an agreement wherein they commit to limit the growth of their emissions. 

This page is part of Public Opinion on Global Issues. This publication is now archived. Concerns about Nuclear Proliferation A large majority of Americans are concerned about the possibility of unfriendly countries becoming nuclear powers and believe that preventing the spread of nuclear weapons is an important foreign policy goal for the United States.  Goal of Abolition of Nuclear Weapons A large majority of Americans favor an international agreement to eliminate all nuclear weapons, even when this would include an intrusive international inspection regime.  Use of Force by the United Nations to Prevent Nuclear Proliferation Americans favor the UN Security Council having the power to authorize the use of military force to prevent a country from acquiring nuclear weapons. Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty An overwhelming majority of Americans support U.S. participation in the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.  Multilateral Control of Nuclear Fuel Production There is substantial U.S. public support for prohibiting some countries from developing nuclear fuel out of concern that they will use it to develop nuclear weapons. Americans would also favor an international regime under the United Nations that would stop new countries from beginning production of nuclear fuel and instead supply them with the fuel they need for energy production. Americans even favor giving the UN Security Council the right to authorize military force to prevent a country from developing nuclear fuel that could be used to develop nuclear weapons.  Dealing with Iran’s Nuclear Program A large majority of Americans perceive Iran as pursuing nuclear weapons, rather than limiting itself to energy production, and there is substantial concern over this. Most want to put international pressure on Iran to stop it from producing nuclear fuel, but to date they have rejected the option of military force. Americans support the idea of allowing Iran to produce nuclear fuel if it accepts intrusive UN inspections. Asked which institution would best handle the issue of Iranian nuclear weapons, Americans are divided, though a plurality chooses the United Nations. 

This page is part of Public Opinion on Global Issues. This publication is now archived. The Role of the United Nations in Human Rights Americans express support for the United Nations playing an active role in promoting human rights and reject the argument that this would be improper interference in the internal affairs of a country. A large majority favors the UN playing a larger role than it presently does to promote human rights and favor giving it greater power to go into countries to investigate human rights abuses. A substantial majority of Americans believe that the UN should try to further women’s rights even when presented with the argument that this would conflict with the principle of national sovereignty. When asked which entity should make decision on matters related to human rights, more Americans prefer the giving this role to the UN or regional organizations than to national governments.  Freedom of Expression Americans nearly unanimously support the principle that individuals have a right to freedom of expression, including the right to criticize government and religious leaders. An overwhelming majority of Americans also believe that the government should not have the right to prohibit discussion of certain political or religious views and that people should have the right to demonstrate peacefully against their government. Media Freedom There is robust support in the United States for the principle that the media should be free of government control and that citizens should even have access to material from hostile countries. A majority of U.S. respondents also say that the government should not have the right to limit access to the internet and believe that the government should not have the right to prohibit publishing material it thinks will be politically destabilizing.  Religious Freedom Americans believe it is important for people of different religions to be treated equally and majorities affirm that followers of any religion should be allowed to assemble and practice in the United States. Additionally, a substantial majority of U.S. respondents believe that people of any religion should be allowed to try to actively to convert others to their religion, which differs from the global average.  Women’s Rights A large majority in the United States supports the principle that women should have “full equality of rights,” and believe their government has the responsibility to seek to prevent discrimination against women.  Racial and Ethnic Equality Large majorities in the United States say people of different races and ethnicities should be treated equally, and an overwhelming majority says that employers should not be allowed to discriminate based on race or ethnicity and that it is the government’s responsibility to stop this from happening. In general, large majorities in the United States agree that governments should take action to prevent racial discrimination.  Norms on Torture and Detention A large majority of Americans support having international rules against torture, threatening torture, or treating detainees in a humiliating or degrading manner. However, a significant minority favors making an exception in the case of terrorists who have information that could save innocent lives. A large majority rejects the idea of making an exception to rules on detention for terrorism-related suspects. Commanders are generally seen as responsible if their subordinates carry out torture.  Social and Economic Rights Large majorities in the United States say their government should be responsible for taking care of the poor and for ensuring that citizens can meet their basic needs for food, healthcare, and education. 

This page is part of Public Opinion on Global Issues. This publication is now archived. Concern about Terrorism Concern about terrorism varies significantly around the world, with the highest levels found in the Middle East, South Asia, and Western Europe—all regions that have suffered significant terrorist attacks. Despite 9/11, Americans are only average in their level of concern.  Attitudes Toward al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden In most countries polled, a majority of the public has negative feelings about al-Qaeda, but in some countries (majority-Muslim, in most cases), these are only pluralities, and significant numbers have positive or mixed views of al-Qaeda. Worldwide, the numbers expressing positive views of Osama bin Laden have declined, but in some predominantly Muslim countries, one-fifth to one-third still express positive views toward him.  Support for Multilateral Action Against Terrorism Large majorities around the world think the UN Security Council should have the right to authorize military force to stop a country from supporting terrorist groups.  Regional Cooperation on Terrorism In North America and Europe, publics mostly give poor marks to the quality of transatlantic cooperation against terrorism. In the European Union, publics on average also give the European Union’s performance against terrorism a lukewarm assessment, while a large majority thinks more decision-making on terrorism should take place at the European level.  Assessments of U.S. Efforts against Terrorism In the struggle between the United States and al-Qaeda, the predominant view among world publics is that neither side is winning and that the “war on terror” has not weakened al-Qaeda. In recent years most have also seen the war in Iraq as increasing the likelihood of terrorist attacks around the world.  Principles for Treatment of Terrorism Suspects Majorities or pluralities in most nations reject the view that, when dealing with terrorism suspects, rules against torture and the secret holding of detainees should be relaxed. However, in several countries majorities favor making an exception when dealing with a terrorist suspect who may have information that may save innocent lives. Majorities in the United States, Britain, Germany, and Poland, and a plurality in India endorse provisions of the Geneva Conventions that forbid detainees being held in secret or without access by the International Committee of the Red Cross.  U.S. Treatment of Terrorism Suspects In 2006, majorities in Great Britain, Germany, and Poland (and a plurality in India) believed that U.S. detention policies in place at Guantanamo were illegal, whereas a slight majority of people in the United States believed they were legal. In none of the five countries—including the United States—did a majority or plurality think the United States seeks to enforce a policy against torture in interrogations. Only minorities supported allowing the United States to use their country’s airspace for rendition of a terrorist suspect to another country, if that country had a reputation for using torture.  Absence of Consensus over Who Was Behind 9/11 Attacks In seventeen countries worldwide, majorities in only nine of those countries believe al-Qaeda was behind the September 11 terrorist attacks—though in none of the other countries does a majority agree on a different possible perpetrator. Even in European countries, the majorities that say al-Qaeda was behind September 11 are not large. Publics in the Middle East are especially likely to name a different perpetrator (Israel or the United States itself). 

This page is part of Public Opinion on Global Issues. This publication is now archived. Concerns about Nuclear Proliferation International polls find a high level of concern among world publics about the possibility of unfriendly countries becoming nuclear powers, and a widespread belief that preventing the spread of nuclear weapons should be an important foreign policy goal.  Goal of Abolition of Nuclear Weapons Large majorities in publics around the world, including in countries with nuclear arms, favor an international agreement for the elimination of all nuclear weapons that includes an intrusive international inspection regime.  UN Use of Force to Prevent Nuclear Proliferation Most countries polled internationally favor the UN Security Council having the right to authorize the use of military force to prevent a country from acquiring nuclear weapons.  Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty There is substantial support for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in global public opinion, including in the United States.  Multilateral Control of Nuclear Fuel Production There is substantial international support for not allowing some countries to develop nuclear fuel out of concern that they will use it to develop nuclear weapons.  Publics worldwide would favor an international regime under the United Nations that would stop new countries from beginning production of nuclear fuel and instead supply them with the fuel they need for energy production. Most publics polled even favor giving the UN Security Council the right to authorize military force to prevent a country from developing nuclear fuel that could be used to develop nuclear weapons. Dealing With Iran’s Nuclear Program International polls reveal a widespread global perception that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, rather than limiting itself to energy production, and there is substantial concern over this. While most publics want to put international pressure on Iran to stop it from producing nuclear fuel, publics to date have roundly rejected the option of military force , and respondents in most countries have also opposed economic sanctions, preferring  diplomacy instead. Publics in a majority of nations polled support the idea of allowing Iran to produce nuclear fuel if it accepts intrusive UN inspections. Asked which institution would best handle the issue of Iranian nuclear weapons, Europeans and Americans choose the United Nations by a large margin. 

This page is part of Public Opinion on Global Issues. This publication is now archived. The Use of Force In international polls, most Americans agree that military force is sometimes necessary to maintain order in the world.  The UN Security Council and the Use of Force International polls find that publics around the world, including in the United States, believe that the UN Security Council has the right to authorize the use of force to prevent and respond to violent conflict in a variety of contingencies. These include: to defend a country that has been attacked, to prevent severe human rights violations such as genocide, to stop a country from supporting terrorist groups, and to restore by force a democratic government that has been overthrown. More broadly, Americans say the idea that national sovereignty precludes intervention in the internal affairs of countries is outdated.  UN Responsibility to Protect Polls further find that the UN Security Council is seen as having not only the right, but the responsibility to authorize the use of military force to prevent severe human rights violations.  UN Role in Peacekeeping In principle, most Americans favor the United Nations having a standing peacekeeping force that it selects, trains, and commands. A majority also wants peacekeeping policy to be decided at the United Nations rather than by national governments or regional organizations. Americans favor providing financial support to the United Nations for peacekeeping. Participation in Military Operations to Prevent and Respond to Violent Conflict A large majority in the United States approves in principle of participating in peacekeeping. As a general rule, support is strong for participation in post-conflict situations, but less consistent when it comes to intervening in civil conflict. In the recent past, Americans have expressed support for contributing U.S. troops to military operations in the Balkans, southern Lebanon, Haiti, and Liberia, and to enforce peace agreements between Israel and the Palestinians. A slight majority has also favored contributing to a UN operation to keep peace between India and Pakistan.  War in Afghanistan The Afghanistan war began with high majority support among the U.S. public, even though a majority expected it to last several years or longer. As of October 2009, about one-third of the public thinks the military action was a mistake, but six in ten disagree. A majority believes the war is going badly, and approval of the administration’s handling of Afghanistan has declined. However, a majority continues to reject the idea of withdrawal and substantially fewer than half even favor troop reductions. A majority approved of the troop increase in February 2009; however, there is not majority support for a second increase. Reasons Americans cite for maintaining the operation are to weaken terrorists’ ability to stage attacks and to keep the Taliban from regaining power.  Intervention in Darfur Many Americans feel that the United Nations has the responsibility, rather than simply the right, to intervene in Darfur. Approximately three out of four Americans has expressed a readiness to contribute U.S. troops to an international force to stop the killing and support a humanitarian operation in Darfur.  Preference for Using U.S. Military Force as Part of UN Operation Americans show significant resistance to using U.S. military force without UN approval except in self-defense or when vital interests are at stake. Even when it comes to defending other countries from aggression, Americans show reluctance to do so except as part of a UN operation. Support is quite strong for contributing U.S. troops to UN peacekeeping operations.  The Responsibility to Participate in NATO and EU Military Operations When NATO decides to take a military action, the U.S. public believes that all NATO members should contribute troops and, if not, at least contribute financially. American support for such a shared contribution is exceptionally higher than that expressed in other NATO member countries. 

This page is part of Public Opinion on Global Issues. This publication is now archived. General Views of Globalization and International Trade Americans clearly support globalization, though they also lean toward the position that the pace of globalization is too fast. Americans generally view international trade as positive for the United States, themselves, their families, consumers, and the nation’s companies; however views are more negative about the impact of international trade on jobs and the environment.  International Regulation of Financial Institutions A clear majority of Americans favor the idea of having a new international institution to monitor global financial markets. At the same time, a modest majority of Americans worries that a global regulating body might interfere with the U.S. economy and make it less productive. A modest majority of Americans also resists the idea of international regulation of U.S. banks.  Including Labor and Environmental Standards in Trade Agreements Consistent with concerns about the impact of international trade on jobs and the environment, an overwhelming majority of Americans support including labor and environmental standards in trade agreements. Assessments of Countries’ Fairness in Trade Americans perceive rich countries as not playing fair in trade negotiations with poor countries. Regional Trade Relations Americans generally place a high priority on economic relations with Pacific Rim nations, though they only favor creating a free trade agreement with one East Asian nation: Japan. Most Americans favor a new initiative to enhance transatlantic trade and investment ties.  The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) In general, Americans express a positive view of the influence of international financial institutions, including the World Bank and the IMF. While both get mildly positive ratings, the World Bank is more popular than the IMF.  The World Trade Organization (WTO) The WTO has a positive image among Americans and there is support for strengthening it. Respondents in the United States, as in most other nations, say that their government should comply with adverse WTO decisions.  Global Corporations Americans lean slightly to the view that global corporations have a positive influence in the world and on U.S. society.  Foreign Investment A large majority of Americans endorses foreigners investing in U.S. companies and projects. However, large majorities also have a negative view of foreigners buying U.S. companies, and express concern that sovereign wealth funds investing in U.S. companies may give them too much control.  Trade and Poverty Reduction While majorities of the public in most developed and developing countries believe that, to reduce poverty, rich countries should allow more imports from developing countries, Americans disagree. 

This page is part of Public Opinion on Global Issues. This publication is now archived. Assessments of the United Nations as an Institution International polling reveals a majority of nations have a favorable view of the United Nations and think that it is having a positive influence in the world. On average, nearly six in ten respondents express such positive views. These majorities are smaller than those expressing support for the United Nations having a robust mission, suggesting that attitudes about the United Nations as an institution, while buoyed by support for its mission, may be mitigated by reservations about its performance. When asked about confidence in the United Nations as an organization views tilt to the negative.  Sources of Support for United Nations Polling in Europe and the United States finds that support for the United Nations appears to be derived from a perceived need for collective action to deal with global problems and from a belief in the efficiencies of collective action. Reservations appear to be related to performance issues. Adding New Permanent Members to United Nations Security Council International polls have found support in all countries polled for adding new countries as permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC). Specifically, majorities or pluralities in nearly all countries have favored including Germany, Japan, India, Brazil and South Africa. On average, majorities have supported the inclusion of Germany and Japan, while pluralities have favored adding India, Brazil, and South Africa. EU Seat in the UN Security Council Most European nations favor having a single permanent seat on the UNSC even if it means replacing the permanent seats of the United Kingdom and France. The British public, however, is opposed. Veto Override International polling has found robust support for giving the UN Security Council the power to override the veto of a permanent member if all other members are in favor of a resolution. This position is favored in the United States, Great Britain, and China, while views are divided in Russia and France. Democratizing the UN There is strong international support for various approaches for making the UN more democratically representative. Large majorities around the world favor direct elections of their country’s UN representative to the General Assembly, a new UN parliament with directly elected representatives, and giving non-governmental actors a formal role in the United Nations. Views of the World Bank, IMF and WTO In general, majorities in most countries have expressed a positive view of the influence of international financial institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). While both get mildly positive ratings in nearly all countries, the World Bank is more popular than the IMF and a few countries, particularly Argentina and Brazil, have distinctly negative views of the IMF. Publics in many beneficiary countries tend to show high levels of enthusiasm, while those in donor countries are more modest in their support, though still predominantly positive. The WTO has a positive image in Europe and the United States and most countries polled, including the United States, say that their government should comply with adverse WTO decisions. International Courts Publics in a majority of countries, especially in Europe and Africa, express confidence that the International Court of Justice would rule fairly and impartially in cases involving their country. However substantial numbers also express doubts. A poll of African and majority-Muslim countries found more support than opposition to the International Criminal Court indictment of Sudanese President Omar Bashir for his alleged role in displacing and killing civilians. General Support for NATO Most Europeans and Americans agree that NATO is still essential, think that it needs to be strengthened, and do not want to cut spending for it. But Europeans and Americans also agree that Europe should have its own defense alliance, and Europeans overwhelmingly believe that decisions about European defense policy should be made by the European Union or national governments rather than by NATO. Large majorities of Europeans and Americans agree that their country should contribute troops to defend a NATO member that has been attacked. Members’ Views of the European Union European Union members’ views of their membership in the European Union are quite varied and on the whole only moderately positive. But when it comes to decisions that have foreign policy implications, Europeans show very strong support for decisions being made not simply by their own national government, but jointly within the European Union. This includes fighting terrorism, defense and foreign affairs generally, and energy. Europeans tend to agree that European Union membership aids in dealing with the costs and benefits of globalization; but it is more often pluralities, rather than majorities, that hold this view. International Views of the EU’s Role in the World Polls from around the world show the European Union is widely perceived as playing a positive role in the world. EU members show far more enthusiasm for the European Union’s international influence than they do about the benefits of membership. ASEAN Asian publics polled tend to express positive feelings toward ASEAN and favor the idea of the ASEAN countries entering into a free trade agreement. However, confidence in ASEAN is mixed. When asked who should decide policies on the environment, refugees, aid to developing countries, and peacekeeping, only small minorities say that it should be ASEAN together with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Most say the UN or national governments should decide such policies. Latin American Multilateral Institutions Majorities or, more often, pluralities in most Latin American countries have positive views of Mercosur, the Andean Community, the Central American Parliament, the Central American Integration System, the Organization of Ibero-American States, and the Organization of American States. African Union Limited polling of African countries has shown modest levels of confidence in the African Union (AU).

This page is part of Public Opinion on Global Issues. This publication is now archived. The Role of the United Nations in Human Rights Majorities or pluralities in all nations polled express support for the United Nations (UN) playing an active role in promoting human rights and reject the argument that this would be improper interference in the internal affairs of a country. Publics in most countries favor the UN playing a larger role than it presently does to promote human rights and favor giving it greater power to go into countries to investigate human rights abuses. Large majorities in nearly every country say that the UN should try to further women’s rights even when presented the argument that this would conflict with national sovereignty. When asked which should make the decision on matters related to human rights, more respondents prefer either the UN or regional organizations rather than national governments, though an average of four in ten respondents prefer national governments.  Freedom of Expression The principle that individuals have a right to freedom of expression—including criticism of government and religious leaders—appears to be nearly universally supported by people throughout the world. However, when asked whether government should have the right to limit expression of certain political and religious views, the consensus is not as strong. While majorities in most countries say the government should not have such a right, in several countries a majority (and in another few a large minority) says that it should have such a right. At the same time there is widespread consensus that individuals should have the right to demonstrate peacefully against the government. Media Freedom Internationally there is robust support for the principle that the media should be free of government control and that citizens should even have access to material from hostile countries. With just a few exceptions, majorities say that the government should not have the right to limit access to the internet. But while most publics say the government should not have the right to prohibit publishing material it thinks will be politically destabilizing, in a significant minority of countries a majority of the respondents say that governments should have such a right.  Religious Freedom Publics around the world believe it is important for people of different religions to be treated equally. Majorities in most, but not all, nations affirm that followers of any religion should be allowed to assemble and practice in their country. At the same time, discomfort with proselytizing—trying actively to convert others to one’s own religion—is quite widespread. Majorities in more than half of the countries polled do not favor extending religious freedom to a right to proselytize.  Women’s Rights Large majorities in all nations support the principle that women should have “full equality of rights” and most say it is very important. Large majorities believe their government has the responsibility to seek to prevent discrimination against women. Large majorities in nearly every country polled favor the United Nations playing an active role in this agenda. Racial and Ethnic Equality Large majorities in all countries say people of different races and ethnicities should be treated equally. In nearly every country large majorities say that employers should not be allowed to discriminate based on race or ethnicity and that it is the government’s responsibility to stop this from happening. In general, large majorities agree that governments should take action to prevent racial discrimination.  Norms on Torture and Detention Large majorities support having international rules against torture. However, significant minorities favor making an exception in the case of terrorists who have information that could save innocent lives. Limited polling has found that views are more mixed on prohibiting threatening torture or treating detainees in a humiliating or degrading manner. Commanders are generally seen as responsible if their subordinates carry out torture. All countries polled disapprove of allowing the United States to use their airspace to conduct extraordinary renditions.  Social and Economic Rights Large majorities in every country say their government should be responsible to take care of the poor and for ensuring that citizens can meet their basic needs for food, healthcare, and education. However, there are wide variations in how people perceive their governments to be fulfilling these responsibilities. 

This page is part of Public Opinion on Global Issues. This publication is now archived. International Law Americans support an international order based on international law. A majority believes that international laws create normative obligations like domestic law and rejects the view that nations should not feel obliged to abide by international law when doing so is at odds with their national interest. However, U.S. respondents tend to underestimate the extent to which their fellow citizens feel such an obligation. They also express readiness to contribute military forces to uphold international law. Asked about specific international laws, a large majority endorses the international law prohibiting the use of military force except in self-defense or defense of an ally, and a substantial majority believes that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) should abide by the Geneva Conventions when questioning suspects who may have information about terrorist plots against the United States. International Treaties Large majorities of Americans support U.S. participation in a variety of international treaties. A large majority also favors having an international body, such as a court, judge compliance with treaties to which the United States is party. International Criminal Court A large majority of Americans favor U.S. participation in the International Criminal Court even after hearing U.S. government objections. Multilateralism and the International Order Americans favor a world order either based on a balance of regional powers or led by the United Nations, rather than a system based on hegemony or bipolarity. Large majorities reject a hegemonic role for the United States, but do want the United States to participate in multilateral efforts to address international issues. Strengthening the United Nations Americans favor the broad principle of having a stronger United Nations and having the United Nations, rather than the United States, take the lead on a variety of international issues. Majorities favor giving the United Nations expanded powers, including having a standing peacekeeping force, investigating human rights violations, and regulating the international arms trade. However, a slight plurality opposes giving the United Nations the capacity to impose a tax. Multilateralism and the Use of Military Force Among U.S. respondents, large majorities favor the United Nations having the right to authorize the use of military force for a wide range of contingencies. U.S. responses indicated that approval of the UN Security Council is seen as playing a powerful and, in many cases, necessary role in conferring legitimacy on the use of military force. Approval by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) does provide some legitimacy for military action in the U.S. public’s eyes, but generally by smaller margins than does UN approval. Intervention in Internal Affairs A robust majority of Americans approve of the United Nations intervening in the internal affairs of states to investigate human rights abuses and to promote human rights in member states. An equally large majority approves of the United Nations using military force to deliver urgent humanitarian aid if the government tries to block the aid and to protect people from severe human rights abuses, even against the will of the government. Majorities also support the idea that the UN has not only the right, but the “responsibility to protect” in the event of severe human rights violations. UN Monitoring of Elections The U.S. public generally believes that when there are concerns about the fairness of an election, countries should be willing to have UN observers monitor it. Less than a majority of Americans, however, think the United States itself would benefit from such monitoring. When the United Nations Should Take the Lead Asked whether the United Nations, national governments, or regional organizations should take the lead in dealing with various issues, U.S. responses varied according to the issue. The most common view was that the United Nations should take the leading role in addressing aid for economic development and dealing with refugees and international peacekeeping, whereas national governments should take the lead on protection of the environment. U.S. views were more mixed on human rights, but most said either the United Nations or a regional organization should take the lead. Large majorities have said that the United Nations rather than the United States should take the lead in dealing with international conflicts in general, and specifically in dealing with Iran’s nuclear program and working toward a peace agreement after the 2006 Lebanon War. However, most balk at having the United Nations take the lead in combating climate change. National and International Identity A large majority of Americans perceive themselves as citizens of the world as well as of their nation, but national identity is still stronger than global identity. International Cooperation As a general principle, a majority of Americans think the U.S. government should be more cooperative than it is. A large majority of the U.S. public believes that Americans have enough common values with Europeans for transatlantic cooperation on international problems, and an overwhelming majority thinks that it is critical for the United States to act together with its closest allies on national security issues.

This page is part of Public Opinion on Global Issues. This publication is now archived. Perception of Climate Change as a Problem or Threat Most Americans say that global warming is a problem or a threat. Only small minorities say it is not a problem. Concern about climate change, while increasing for some years, may be leveling out. Large majorities believe that human activity plays a role in climate change.  Readiness to Take Action A large majority of Americans support taking action to address the problem of climate change. More often than not majorities favor taking major steps, urgently. A modest majority thinks that the U.S. government should do more than it is currently doing to address climate change. Americans tend to underestimate how ready other Americans are to support taking action, however. There is strong support for participation in an international treaty to limit climate change. Most Americans believe that it will be necessary for people to change their lifestyle in order to reduce their production of climate-changing gasses. Readiness to take action is highly related to levels of information regarding climate change and the perception that there is scientific consensus on the reality of climate change.  Changing Energy Usage To motivate changes in energy usage, most Americans believe that it will be necessary to increase the cost of energy that causes climate change. The idea of raising taxes on such forms of energy meets with mixed responses. But if the revenues of such a tax are earmarked to address the problem of climate change or are offset with tax reductions, support becomes much higher. Also, a large majority of Americans say that in order to address climate change they would be willing to pay more for renewable energy. Reducing Reliance on Oil and Coal To reduce reliance on oil and coal, a large majority of Americans favor creating tax incentives to encourage alternative energy sources, requiring automakers to increase fuel efficiency, and building new nuclear power plants.  Role of Developing Countries A majority of Americans—along with most people in developing and developed countries alike—think that developing countries have a responsibility to limit their greenhouse-gas emissions in an effort to deal with climate change. There is also a consensus that developed countries should provide aid as part of a deal to help developing countries commit to limiting their emissions. If developing countries refuse to limit their emissions, most Americans think the United States should nonetheless proceed to limit its own emissions.  Multilateral Efforts to Address Climate Change Americans say that multilateral cooperation on climate change is very important, but give the United States a mediocre rating in advancing this objective. A large majority believes there should be a new international institution to monitor compliance with climate treaty obligations.  Assessments of Leading Country’s Role in Addressing Problem A majority of Americans disapprove of how the United States has handled the problem of climate change. Most Americans regarded China as the worst offender in harming the global environment, while most other nations blame the United States. Americans retain a large amount of trust in their own country to protect the environment, while Germany has the best ratings globally.