Voice of the People, 2004

This annual survey, fielded June to December 2004, was conducted in over 50 countries to solicit public opinion on social and political issues. Respondents were asked what they thought was the most important goal for the world as a whole, whether they trusted people from their ethnic group more than people from other ethnic groups, if they heard about various global institutions, and their thoughts of these institutions. They were also asked for their overall opinion of various countries. Respondents were asked to give their opinion on other issues such as globalization, terrorism, and democracy. They were also asked questions concerning the United States. These included whether they think American foreign policy has a positive effect or negative effect on their country, whether the United States plays a positive, negative, or neutral role in the growth of the world economy, the role the United States plays in keeping peace in the world, the role the United States plays in the fight against poverty in the world, and the role the United States plays in the protection of the environment. Additional questions addressed respondents' thoughts on whether their country was governed by the will of the people and whether elections were free and fair. Demographic information includes sex, age, education level, employment status, religious preference, household income, and type of residential area (e.g., urban or rural).