World Publics Say Governments Should Be More Responsive to the Will of the People

Governments Widely Seen as Serving Big Interests, Not the People

A WorldPublicOpinion.org poll of 19 nations conducted around the world finds that, in every nation polled, publics support the principles of democracy. At the same time, in nearly every nation, majorities are dissatisfied with how responsive their government is to the will of the people.

In all 19 nations polled majorities agree with the democratic principle that "the will of the people should be the basis for the authority of government"--a principle enunciated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, whose 60th anniversary is being celebrated this year. On average 85 percent agree--52 percent strongly. Across the 19 nations, 74 percent say that the "will of the people" should have more influence than it currently does.

"The perception that governments are not responsive to the popular will appears to be contributing to the low levels of confidence in government found around the world," comments Steven Kull, director of WorldPublicOpinion.org. Kull adds: "Most see their governments as primarily serving big interests rather than the people as a whole."

(Photo: United Nations)

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International Public Opinion Says Government Should Not Limit Internet Access

All Nations Polled Support Principle of Press Freedom, and Half Want More Freedom

But Many Muslims and Russians Accept Press Restrictions to Preserve Political Stability

A new poll of nations around the world finds worldwide support for the principle of media freedom and broad opposition to government having the right to limit access to the Internet. In many countries people want more media freedom than they have now, but in many Muslim countries and in Russia, there is substantial support for regulation of news or ideas that the government thinks could be politically destabilizing.

The poll is being published in advance of International Press Freedom Day (May 3). This year is also the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which calls for freedom to "receive and impart information and ideas through any media."

(Photo: Stefano Corso)

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