- Despite the increased focus on illegal immigration in the U.S., and individual states implementing their own measures to clamp down on illegal workers, the number of Americans supporting tighter immigration curbs has declined. So did the number in Britain, France and Germany. Jordanians, however, want stricter immigration policy, to stem the tide of Iraqis flowing into the country since the war started in 2003 (from 48 percent in 2002 to 70 percent).
- 55 percent of Americans believe their culture is superior. . . the only other Western country to display such self-confidence was Italy. (What exactly is "American culture?") The Swedes, Brits and French, however, seem in need of an ego boost -- only a fifth of Swedes and less than a third of the other two think their culture is superior. (The French have self-esteem issues?!?! Who'd a thunk??!?!?!)
- In most countries, the strength of people's religious belief falls as their wealth increases. The U.S. appears to be the only country where the opposite is true. Lots of religious rich people there!
- Fewer than half of Americans, Japanese and Israelies believe homosexuality should be accepted.
- Germans and Spaniards appear to be the most peace-loving people -- only a tenth of them said military force is needed to maintain order. This is compared with over a third of Turks and Americans, a fourth of French and Italians and a fifth of Brits. (I'm inclined to believe Japan would be similar to Germany and Spain, because of its general anti-war sentiment and its constitution, which Abe tried in vain to change).
- The percentage of Russians using mobile phones is higher than the percentage of Indians. . . and Russia had a higher level of adaptation -- from 8 percent of Russians owning mobiles in 2002 to 65 percent today, compared with 12 percent of Indians in 2002 to 60 percent now.
- South Korea has the highest degree of computer ownership in the world -- 93 percent!
- Germans are the biggest news junkies -- 80 percent "follow international news closely most of the time."
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Interesting globalization facts
I came across this story today in The New York Times, about the results of a survey of more than 45,000 people in 47 countries on what they think about globalization. There were several tidbits I found very interesting:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
"55 percent of Americans believe their culture is superior".... only 55%???? I thought it would be closer to 100%....
Of the Americans who think their culture is superior, I would guess that many of them (us) do not equate this opinion with we ourselves being superior, just the culture at large.
It does not surprise me, not only because of our sinful propensity for arrogance, but also because we are less bound by our culture to stay where we are at, and feel quite free to move to another country of our preference. Plus, even for those who are not puffed-up with national pride, it suggests something appealing about our culture that so many people from all over the world keep coming here, does it not?
It would interest me to see a sub-section for that question that asks why people answered the way they did.
What exactly is "American culture?"
Good question. Probably a sort of bastardized version of Anglo-European culture with a commercial slant. But I find it hard to believe that the Koreans have a higher percentage of computer ownership than us. I thought by now just about everyone in the country had one.
I love the cultures of the world. So many amazing and intriguing aspects. Why, I was just at dinner the other night with someone from Uganda. We were talking about wedding ceremonies and millet that looks like chocolate pudding and all sorts of other interesting things. I felt revived in my spirit.
Yes, I have proved my self right, the human race is stark raving bonkers, I wish had of been born a monkey (but not the type with the big red sore bum!)
It is also true that us Brits are losing the 'Great' in Great Britain.
Have a good weekend and do not get too drunk!!
My PC Is knackered-ish at the moment so I have not been blogging so well recently
Post a Comment