We recently included several winning Top Question Tuesday selections on an interactive poll. Stay tuned to this blog as we’ll be releasing the results over the next several weeks! And don’t forget to submit your own nominations for Top Question Tuesday using the box on the right of this blog.

One question asked respondents if they couldn’t live in the US or US territories anymore, which area of the world would they choose for their new home. Overall, 24% of those surveyed selected Australia/New Zealand, 19% selected Canada, 17% said Western Europe, 16% were not sure, and 9% selected the Caribbean. All other options (Central America, Mexico, South America, North Africa, Southern Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Antarctica) received less than 3% of the total.

Age, race, gender, education and whether one lived in a large city, small city, suburb or rural area had minimal impact on the region or country selected. Progressives and liberals were more likely than average to favor Canada, with 36% of progressives and 33% of liberals selecting this country. Conservatives and very conservatives were more likely than average to favor Australia/New Zealand, with 38% of conservatives and 40% of very conservatives selecting this region. This pattern was also seen with Democrats and Republicans, with 30% of Democrats selecting Canada and 36% of Republicans selecting Australia/New Zealand.

If you could no longer live in the US, where would you move and why?

Katy global issues, international education, elections, global issues, lifestyles, middle east, race, Top Question Tuesday

During the past several months, the dollar has experienced renewed decline against other major currencies and there’s plenty of talk about it.

Some economists, such as Nobel prize winner Paul Krugman, have argued that the weak dollar is a net benefit that is necessary to put the economy on track by making American exports cheaper abroad. Others have argued that a weak dollar leads to a loss of capital resulting in a net job loss. In addition, the falling dollar raised fears of inflation and the loss of the dollar’s world prominence.

Are you worried about inflation? Have you personally taken any steps protect yourself from it? Do you think that the American dollar will remain the world’s most important currency?

Zeljka economics, employment, future, global issues, international economy

To the surprise of many, President Obama has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The reaction at home has been mixed, with criticisms being raised not only by conservative but also liberal writers. Reactions abroad appear to be following the same line, with some writers suggesting that the president should not have accepted the prize.

Why do you think the President was awarded the Prize? Do you believe that it enhances the prestige of the President and/or the prize? Do you think it helps sustain and enhance the world’s peace?

Zeljka future, global issues, international, peace, politics Obama, peace, war

With bailouts, stimulus and health care reform, one of the issues on the minds of the Americans is a proper role of government. The Europeans have been grappling with that issue for the past several years, as they have had difficulties ratifying the Treaty of Lisbon. In essence, this Treaty gives less power to national governments who will now be able to veto fewer decisions. It also gives more power to European institutions of presidency and parliament.

A few days ago, Irish voters have had their second referendum on the Lisbon treaty, which has resulted in its affirmation. Rather than slamming the door on the Treaty, however, this has created a great European political drama. The lead role belongs to British Tories, whose leader David Cameron has promised to hold a referendum on the Treaty, if the Treaty is, at that point, not ratified by all other countries.

Cameron is expected to be in power in about eight months. And, if this referendum is held it is widely expected that Lisbon Treaty would fail.

However, the Treaty is now almost ratified, with Poland and Czech Republic presidents’ signatures being the only thing missing. However, the president of Czech Republic is Vaclav Klaus – one of the most prominent and outspoken opponents of the Treaty.

In addition, 17 Czech senators have filed a motion with Czech constitutional court, in order to buy time. Not to be outdone, German pro-Lisbon officials have met with the president of the court in order to prevent the delay.

Would do you think the outcome will ultimately be? And, would you rather see EU more or less united (centralized)?

Zeljka future, global issues, international, politics health, international, politics

French president Nicolas Sarkozy has recently proposed that the current way of measuring economic output be replaced with one that includes measures of national happiness. According to the article, he complained that “Behind the cult of figures, behind all these statistical and accounting structures, there is also the cult of the market that is always right”.

Zogby International has a long standing interest in groups of people, such as Secular Spiritualists, who think that happiness rather than material abundance is what really matters. However, pursuing happiness and measuring it can be two different things. Some commentators have already observed that the very idea of measuring happiness defeats Sarkozy’s alleged goal of moving beyond “the cult of figures”.

What is your view of this new approach to measuring GDP? Do you think that happiness can be adequately measured? Would you support such change in the USA?

Zeljka consumption, economics, global issues, international international, zogby

Former National Basketball Association star Manute Bol is $10,529 closer to realizing his dream of constructing a school in his home village, following a fund-raising event hosted by pollster John Zogby. Zogby was moved to help Manute raise awareness and bring in funding for the project after learning earlier this year about his efforts to build a reconciliation school in Turalei, Sudan.

“I am ecstatic,” said Zogby. “Manute really connected with elementary school children in the Utica public schools with a message of discipline and self-determination. At the public discussion his message was one of reconciliation. What impresses me so much is that every penny raised goes directly to build classrooms, that this school project is a major act of reconciliation between Darfuri Muslims and southern Christians, and that this message is being delivered by someone so pure of heart. There are basketball heroes and there are real heroes – people who are doing big and little things to make the lives of others better. Manute is a real hero.”

The Zogby event was designed to raise funds to construct a school in Manute’s home village, which will be a key signal of reconciliation in this war–torn country, welcoming both Darfurian and Southern Sudanese children, both Muslim and Christian. Children at the school now meet outdoors and learn to write using sticks in the dirt. Manute Bol’s fund–raising efforts nationwide are part of his efforts in partnership with Sudan Sunrise, an organization that works to help Sudan heal after years of internal conflict.

At the local fundraiser hosted by Zogby, and his wife, Kathy, guests had an opportunity to meet Manute. Following a reception with Manute, guests heard the heard him recount his life story about growing up in a village in southern Sudan until he was discovered by an American basketball talent scout.

For more information on Sudan Sunrise or to contribute to this great cause and great man, please visit http://www.sudansunrise.org/donate.shtml. Credit cards accepted.

Katy John Zogby, culture, global issues global issues, John Zogby, polls, Sudan, war, work, zogby

If you’ve been reading our blog regularly, you’ll know that we frequently write about First Globals. We’ve discovered through our surveys and research that this generation of people between the ages of 18 and 30 are the most likely to have traveled or lived abroad, the most likely to keep in contact with friends and family living abroad, and hold political opinions that differ significantly from older Americans.

A new blog post in the Chronicle of Higher Education reports on a speech John Zogby gave at that organization’s Leadership Forum. Discussing First Globals, Zogby says that today’s college students are “the most diverse, multicultural generation yet produced” and that they are ” as likely to say they are citizens of the planet Earth as they are to say they are citizens of the United States.” Furthermore, these First Globals are more likely to seek a spiritually fulfilling life than a materialistic and status-driven life.

How do you think the global orientation of this younger generation will affect politics and life in this country in the future? If you are a First Global, does this description accurately represent you?

Katy John Zogby, first globals, global issues education, first globals, future, John Zogby, politics, polls, travel, war, zogby

This Thursday, President Obama will be in Cairo, Egypt to deliver what is being billed as his first  address to the Muslim world. Noting the challenges posed by  Obama’s speech and particularly the challenges posed by  the different audiences the speech will address, James Taub writes in the New York Times that:

You can demonstrate deep respect for both the state and its people in a democracy like the Czech Republic — but not in a place like Egypt, where the people feel crushed by the state. There you must make a choice. And if the state is a valued ally, it will be a very difficult choice. The dilemma is particularly acute for Mr. Obama, who is seen throughout the world as the incarnation of American democracy, and who well understands America’s power to inspire both hope and resentment. Does he want to be seen as the architect of a policy that gives a dictator free rein in exchange for strategic cooperation?

And our own James Zogby recently discussed the results of a  Zogby poll of attitudes in six Middle Eastern countries and what this might mean for Obama’s Cairo speech at the Huffington Post.  He notes that while Obama is viewed favorably in the UAE, Morocco, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia, “deep skepticism” remains in Egypt and Jordan.  In fact, Zogby data shows that three fourths of Egyptians give President Obama a poor job rating for his first three months in office.  Summing up the challenges posed by delivering a speech in a relatively unfriendly environment, Dr. Zogby concludes that “his (Obama’s) speech must be more than banal clichés (”we are not at war with Muslims”) or a repetition of hollow visions. It must be bigger, more consequential and more substantial.”

What do you believe Obama will say in his upcoming Cairo speech? How important is this speech for America’s relationship to the rest of the world, and particularly the Arab and Muslim worlds?

Katy global issues, international, politics environment, international, middle east, Obama, politics, war, zogby

Fresh on heels of President Obama’s first official meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Iranian government recently announced that it test-fired a missile with a 1,200 mile range. According to the New  York Times, this missile is “within striking distance of Israel and of American bases in the Persian Gulf. Though the Iranian leader did not allude to any specific  target beyond Iran’s borders in the news agency account.”

We’ve also been asking about Iran in our surveys, most recently in our Top Question Tuesday survey consisting of user-submitted questions.  Our question asked, “Some people believe Iran is developing nuclear weapons. Both the Bush and Obama administrations have said that an Iranian nuclear capability is unacceptable. Would you support or oppose a US attack on Iran to stop an Iranian nuclear weapon program after diplomacy had run its course, even if it meant a wider war in the Middle East?”.

Overall, 57% of those surveyed either strongly supported or somewhat supported a US attack, while 36% either somewhat opposed or strongly opposed an attack and 7% were not sure. 87% of Republicans strongly or somewhat supported an attack , compared to 47% of  Democrats . Likewise, 87% of conservatives  strongly or somewhat supported an attack, compared to 44% of moderates and 25% of liberals. Younger people were also less likely to strongly or somewhat support an attack than older people  - 47% of those 18-29 felt this way, compared to 59%  of those 30-49, 59% of those 50-64, and 62% of those over 65.

What (if anything) do you think is most likely to happen between the US and Iran? And would you support or oppose a US attack on Iran to stop development of Iran’s nuclear weapons, if diplomacy was no longer an option?

Katy global issues, international, politics, war international, middle east, Obama, politics, Top Question Tuesday, war

Zogby International and the Doha Debates recently conducted an interactive poll of American adults examining their views on the Middle East, Israel, and Palestine.  The press release describing the findings of this survey is below, and you can read Dr. James Zogby’s further analysis of our findings here.

How do our findings compare with your own opinions? How favorable are your views towards Israel and towards the Palestinians? Do you believe the US government should change our policies in the Middle East – and if so, how?

Americans are showing significant disenchantment with their government’s policy towards Israel – and nearly half of them want a more balanced approach to the Middle East conflict.  The trends emerged in a wide-ranging opinion poll – commissioned by the Doha Debates, a free speech forum based in Qatar – which revealed that large numbers of US voters are at odds with their country’s uncritical support for Israel.
The results are most apparent among Democratic voters, with nearly 70 percent of them favoring a tougher US line on Israeli settlements.

The findings, though, offer little encouragement to the Palestinians. Overall, 71 percent of Americans have a favorable view of Israel, compared to only 25 percent who approve of the Palestinians. Nearly 50 percent regard aid to both sides as excessive – and the same percentage would like the administration to steer a “middle course” between them.

Despite heavy Palestinian casualties during the recent conflict in Gaza, 36 percent are now more supportive of Israel, compared to 29 percent who have a less favorable view of the country.

The survey, conducted by the American market research company Zogby International, polled the views of 4,340 American adults between April 1 and April 4.   It followed last month’s special session of the Doha Debates at Washington’s Georgetown University where 63 percent of the mainly-student audience voted that the administration should take a tougher line on Israel.  By contrast, the opinion poll showed Americans nationwide evenly divided on the issue.

Katy global issues, international, politics international, middle east, politics, war, zogby