Russian views of America, themselves

[nodular]

Wonder what the Russian people are thinking as world tensions increase?


World Public Opinion.org

http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/home_page/200.php?nid=&id=&pnt=200&lb=hmpg2


The Russian public has a generally negative view of the United States’ foreign policy at the present time. Clear majorities feel that the United States has a mainly negative influence in the world (61% and 25% positive), view America’s use of military force and the threat of force unfavorably (74% and 13% favorable), and judge the effect of U.S. foreign policy over the past few years as negative for Russian interests (56% and 22% positive). Most Russians also have an unfavorable view of President Bush (59% and 25% favorable). Many other countries share the view that the United States has a mainly negative influence in the world, according to global polls.

Russians have a high regard for the American economic system (73% favorable, 13% unfavorable). And by 2 to 1, they give a good grade to America’s system of government (54% favorable, 27% unfavorable). The positive image of the American economic and governing models could be a potential source of political capital for the United States, but the sharply negative opinions of U.S. military policy, U.S. policy toward Russia, U.S. influence in the world, and President Bush appear to undercut these soft power resources.

However, only a slim plurality (47% favorable and 43% unfavorable) of Russians give good marks to the Russian system of government.

More starkly, Russians have a negative view of their economic system. A clear majority of Russians (60%) have an unfavorable view of the Russian economic system, compared to 31% holding a favorable view.