Sample drill-down data from World Learning/Aspen Institute poll on America’s reputation

Core Messages

• This poll shows that a lingering concern about America’s reputation underlies many other concerns facing the American public in the lead-up to Super Tuesday and in the wake of President Bush’s recent trip to the Middle East.

• Americans worry about the impact of our declining reputation abroad in a variety of areas including further economic set backs, increased chance for terrorist attacks and a less welcoming attitude toward Americans traveling abroad.

• The good news is that Americans remain optimistic that they as individuals can do something to address the situation, whether it’s studying abroad, working abroad or simply traveling to other countries.

Supporting Data

Americans are concerned about our reputation abroad.

• Nearly nine out of ten (88%) Americans believe it is very or somewhat important that people in other countries feel goodwill towards the U.S.
  
• 6 percent say that it is not at all important.
  
• Over one-half (53%) of woman believe other people’s goodwill towards the U.S. is very important and a significantly higher proportion (58%) of those over the age of 65 also agree with this sentiment.
  
• Women (80%, compared to 65% of men) are very or somewhat worried that the US is losing the trust and friendship of other countries

Americans believe that a variety of factors have contributed to a decline in our reputation.

• A higher percentage of Americans believe that it is US foreign policy rather than a dislike of American values, wealth or business practices that contribute to the reputation decline (75% vs. 60%).
  
• Women (69%) and people ages 18-24 (70%) are more likely to believe that people in other countries think less highly of the US because of a dislike for American values, wealth or people.

Americans have a broad range of worries about the impacts of a negative reputation

• 66 percent believe that foreign governments will be less likely to support the United States’ diplomatic and military efforts abroad;
  
• 63 percent worry that Americans will be less welcome in other parts of the world;
  
• 61 percent worry that there is a greater likelihood of terrorist attacks in the US;
  
• 36 percent believe negative perceptions of the US could prompt boycotts of American products and retailers.

Yet Americans are optimistic that they can do something about our reputation

• One-half (49%) of Americans believe that Americans going abroad is the best way to improve relations with people from other countries.
  
• Eight in 10 (77%) believe that studying or working abroad has a positive impact on American’s appreciation and awareness of other cultures
  
• 78% believe that when more Americans go abroad, they can change local perceptions of Americans.
  
• 39% believe that increasing business contacts with other countries is the best means of improving relations with other countries
  
• Young people (33%) and African Americans (36%) believe that studying abroad is the most effective way to improve relations

The number of American college students who study abroad is still abysmally low.

• Less than 1% of all college students study abroad, although the numbers are increasing each year.
  
• Of that number, less than 8% are Hispanic or African American, even though these populations represent 25% of all college students.

WL/Aspen Institute Poll Facts

• Sponsored by World Learning and Aspen Institute
  
• Conducted as an online poll on Jan 14 and 15, 2008, and included 1,099 Americans, statistically weighted to be an accurate representation of the American population.
  
• The poll was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation, a market research company founded in 1938. It was acquired by InfoUSA in 2006.
  
• The margin of error is +/- 3%