October 29, 2020 A biweekly digest of the Center's latest findings from its worldwide public opinion surveys and demographic research · Subscribe ↗
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Experts and publics don’t always see the same worldA new analysis by Pew Research Center, comparing the views of 706 U.S.-based international relations scholars with those of ordinary citizens in the U.S. and 13 other countries, finds notable differences in how the two groups view global threats. The experts, surveyed as part of the College of William & Mary’s Teaching, Research and International Policy program, are less concerned about terrorism, the spread of nuclear weapons and Russia’s influence. The question is less, “Who is right?” and more about the potential disconnect between elite conversations about the world and what is on the minds of the general public. Wider perception gaps can present challenges for policymakers. At least on climate change, elites and publics generally agree that the threat is real and global. Who will lead on this issue is less clear: Our latest polling indicates that Angela Merkel, more than President Donald Trump, is trusted to do the right thing in world affairs. Whether this changes after next week’s U.S. presidential election remains to be seen. James Bell Vice President of Global Strategy, Pew Research Center | |
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 Recent Pew Research Center surveys find that Americans are especially concerned about the spread of infectious diseases and are more likely than not to blame China for its role in the current COVID-19 pandemic. But foreign policy experts have distinctly different perspectives.  Amid the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, people around the world are still concerned by the threat of global climate change. A median of 70% across 14 countries surveyed over the summer say climate change is a major threat to their country. A similar median, 69%, say the same of the spread of infectious diseases.  As Angela Merkel enters the home stretch of her nearly 15-year tenure, more people express confidence in the German chancellor than in any other world leader asked about in a recent Pew Research Center survey of 14 countries. And in six of those countries, the share of adults who have confidence in Merkel is the highest on record.  As governments around the world debate the mix of fossil fuel and renewable sources they use to meet their energy needs, public attitudes about natural gas are mostly positive, according to a recent international survey by Pew Research Center.  2020 has been a year unlike any in recent memory. And a a survey conducted by Pew Research Center in 14 countries over the summer – as the coronavirus outbreak spread around the globe – tells us much about people’s thoughts and concerns amid the pandemic. Support Pew Research CenterIn times of uncertainty, good decisions demand good data. Please support Pew Research Center with a contribution on the Center’s behalf to our parent organization, The Pew Charitable Trusts. |
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Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank. As a neutral source of data and analysis, Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. © 2020 Pew Research Center |
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