Which Nations Americans Favor

I thought this was an interesting list of which nations Americans had the most favorable view of. Most of it isn't very surprising, particularly once you get passed Mexico. I'm curious though how people come to their conclusions and what your guys/gals thoughts were.

 

I agree that the results aren't that surprising.

Do you have a link to where you found that?

 

How would the average american determine this if they rarely to never go to most countries on that list? Mostly by american news and movies I suspect.

 

The same point can be made of any person, from any nation, when they are asked for their impression of other countries.

It's like some Europeans I've met thinking they have handle on America and Americans despite either never having been here or, if they have, only visiting a single state or region.

 

Well, europeans can base their impression of America on american media. That's a small difference already

 

ok were going to base our opinion of the netherlands on bird migration. so its not looking good for that country

 

Yeah that's kinda what made me curious as well.

EDIT: At first I put the wrong year and link down below, but I fixed it with a link for the most recent polling and more detailed numbers.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/1624/perceptions-foreign-countries.aspx

 

How wonderful to see that spin doctors really do earn their pay.

 

There's a lot to be said for a job well done.

 

But how are we sure the job is well done

 

It falls right in line with the propaganda and hype on terrorism. Fear.

 

Here we go.....

 

Unfathomable
Difficult or impossible to understand; incomprehensible.
Difficult or impossible to measure.

Is more likely.

What's your feelings towards the last 8 countries, Heat?
What do you know about them?
Why should we not find them unfavourable?

I can see certain prejudices coming to the fore - but I do think it is an honest feeling of not knowing an awful lot about those countries. Americans want their troops home, so I can see Iraq and Afghanistan not being that high on peoples lists. I am surprised China is so high (relatively speaking)

 

The last 8 countries on the list are there because of distrust and public opinion that is also flavoured by recent events and the motivation of governments to have them seen in a context that is not favourable. They are viewed as enemies and that is what the establishment wishes them to be viewed as.

It is rather difficult to convince a nation that war with "nice guys" is necessary.

I agree that I would have thought that China might be in a different spot on the list.

It would be interesting to go to the 8 countries listed and do the same poll, the results would probably be just as politically skewed.

I maintain that in some of those countries there are issues but they have also been exasperated by outside parties.

The people of those countries would have a very different opinion on who the terrorists were.

 

Wow, why is Palestine so unfavorable?

 

Perhaps because Israel Isn't. I don't see Obama having big hugs and kisses with Aziz duwaik.

 

Unfortunately.

 

Because they have a terrorist organization as part of their government?

 

I think the last two are viewed as 'the enemy' - which is understandable given the rhetoric coming from those countries.
I do think Iraq and Afghanistan are low because of troops being there - I don't think you could argue the US is portraying them as enemies.

No doubt. So if the results are pretty much just flipped upside down - where does that leave us?

No doubt.

I've been reading about digital diplomacy

We need to talk rather than let the media decide, imho. It aint gonna happen, though

 

Perhaps not hugs and kisses - but, yeah - something verbally like that.