Little Political Faith

I know I said I wouldn't be posting much, but I couldn't resist this.

The findings of a World Economic Forum survey - the Voice of the People - carried out by Gallup International make grim reading for the world's leaders, particularly its politicians. Around the world, survey respondents overwhelmingly found that political leaders are dishonest, have too much power and are too easily influenced.

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The Voice of the People also asked respondents to compare the characteristics of political leaders with those of business leaders. As previously stated, business leaders were consistently rated more positively than political leaders, with criticisms of the latter group featuring heavily on their dishonesty - mentioned by more than six out of ten global citizens (61 percent) who indicated that politicians respond too much to pressure from people more powerful than themselves (53 percent), that they have too much power and responsibility (53 percent) and that they behave unethically (49 percent). Additionally, just under half (45 percent) mentioned that they were not competent and capable.

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However, the top priority is different in almost every region. In Western Europe, 18 percent want leaders to focus on eliminating extreme poverty and hunger in the world, in Eastern and Central Europe the priority is seen as the war on terrorism (20 percent), as it is also in the Middle East (22 percent). The Americas see the priority as eliminating extreme poverty and hunger (20 percent), although in the United States itself, the priority is given to the war on terrorism (16 percent). In Asia, leaders are asked to focus on encouraging economic growth and improving the world economy (21 percent), while in Africa equal proportions want leaders to concentrate on closing the gap between rich and poor countries (21 percent) and on encouraging economic growth and improving the global economy (22 percent).

posted by Lazarus, 3:02 PM