Global Study Shows Potential For More Political Uncertainty Ahead
After a year of historic political events such as Brexit, the election of Donald Trump, and the Italian constitutional referendum, a major new Ipsos survey across 22 countries paints a picture of a global public feeling left behind by the traditional system of politics and government.
In several countries, this sentiment of discontent translates into high levels of support for a strong leader willing to break the rules.
The survey, among online adults aged under 65 in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Britain, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Poland, South Africa, South Korea Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United States, also finds most people think their country is in decline, that experts do not understand their lives, and they show ambivalence towards globalisation.
Is Australia in decline?
In Australia, half of us (49 per cent) believe we are in decline, which makes us one of the less pessimistic countries. On average, 57 per cent across the 22 countries believe their country is in decline, and a majority in 14 of the 22 surveyed.
Perceptions of decline vary widely – highest in South Africa, South Korea, Italy and Brazil (at more than seven in 10), and lowest in India (22 per cent) and Canada (38 per cent). Despite these findings, people tend to feel their country can recover – on average, just 15 per cent of those who say their country is in decline think it is irreversible.
In Australia only one in 10 believe the decline is irreversible.
In Australia we are close to evenly split on the question of whether our generation has had a worse life than our parents, with 38 per cent saying worse and 35 per cent saying better. Globally, people are likely to feel their generation has had a worse life than their parents (on average 32 per cent better, 43 per cent worse).
But again this varies: economies in Europe (Hungary, France, Italy, Spain and Belgium) and Asia (South Korea and Japan) are unhappier than in Latin America and other emerging economies
Australia is close to the average in regards to being pessimistic about the future prospects for today’s youth, with 27 per cent suggesting their lives will be better and 44 per cent worse.
Globally, 27 per cent think their lives will be better than their parents’ and 48 per cent worse, with pessimism highest in European countries, such as France, Spain, Belgium, and South Korea.
Is the system broken?
Australia is also close to the global average in thinking traditional parties and politicians don’t care about people like them, with 61 per cent thinking this way. Globally two in three (64 per cent) feel this way across the 22 countries surveyed.
This sentiment rises to 75 per cent or above in Mexico, Peru, France and Spain, although it is under 50 per cent in Sweden and Japan. Similarly, six in 10 Australians (and on average globally) feel experts don’t understand their lives, with Spain, France, Mexico, Hungary and Peru having the highest agreement with this statement
A little over two thirds (68 per cent) of Australians believe that their country’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful. The global average is similar at 69 per cent. A similar proportion of Australians (71 per cent) believe their country needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful, while just over six in 10 (63 per cent) feel this way globally.
Feelings run especially high in Mexico, Peru, Hungary, Spain and Israel – but again much less strongly in Sweden
There are notable splits in the desire for a strong leader who is willing to break the rules, both here and globally. Overall, on average globally 49 per cent agree and 25 per cent disagree, while in Australia 50 per cent agree and 21 per cent disagree.
Support for a strong leader who will break the rules is especially high in France (80 per cent), but also in Israel, Italy, South Korea, Turkey and India. In contrast, half of Germans and Swedes oppose the idea, while many other countries are divided, with significant minorities on both sides of the argument in Spain, South Africa, North America (US and Canada) and parts of Latin America (Argentina and Mexico)
Six in 10 (59 per cent) Australians agree politicians should be able to say what’s on their minds regardless of what anyone else thinks of their views. On average, two in three (64 per cent) say this globally, with agreement reaching eight in 10 in Argentina, Hungary and Israel.
Globalisation:
Australians are below the global average in regards to positive views on globalisation.
Firstly, one third of Australians think opening up their country’s economy to foreign business and trade is an opportunity while a similar level (31 per cent) think it is a threat. The global average is 42 per cent opportunity and 26 per cent threat.
Most positive about globalisation’s potential are Peru, South Africa and also Great Britain, but in Italy and France more think it is a threat than an opportunity
Secondly, a little under four in 10 (37 per cent) Australians surveyed believe Australia should protect itself from the world and 25 per cent believe we should open up more to the world. Globally, views are split with 31 per cent saying protect and 36 per cent saying open up, on average.
Aside from our clear difference to the global average, we rank fourth of 22 in wanting to protect our country from today’s world (behind the US, Canada, and Israel) and equal fourth lowest in wanting to open up, ahead of only France, Japan, and Brazil
Commenting on the findings, David Elliott, director, Ipsos Social Research Institute, Sydney said, “The political shocks of Brexit and the US election have reignited interest not only in public opinion, but also what is driving that opinion.
“At Ipsos we have a large number of ongoing global monitors, which have been showing high levels of discontent with the traditional way of doing things for some time now.
“This can take many forms – economic insecurity, feeling ignored by the elites, anti-immigration sentiment and a general perception of decline – but our latest study suggests that many countries around the world share the view that the system no longer serves them.
“With more elections coming up – notably in France, but also in other countries, such as South Korea – this mood of discontent is likely to continue to play a role in 2017.
“The Australian results show we are less pessimistic about our country generally than most around the world, while on many measures we reflect the global average.
“Where we really show a distinct difference is in regard to our feelings about globalisation. Whether it is the on-going threat of terrorism, continuing debate on immigration and refugees, or even perhaps reflecting on how Australia was somewhat sheltered from the storm that was the Global Financial Crisis of the late 2000’s, it seems Australians, more than most, are looking to close the door on globalisation.”
The report can be viewed here.
Please login with linkedin to comment
Australia PostLatest News
TV Ratings (18/04/2024): I’m A Celebrity Wins Prime Time And Key Demos
Aussie viewers can be a harsh lot at times. Only days after Ellie Cole bled her heart out, she has been sent packing.
Effie&co Launches New ConnectAsia Division To Help Aussie Brands Market To Asian Consumers Overseas & At Home
Not provided is advice on using chopsticks and not spilling ramen down your shirt.
Cashrewards Sets Out Stall For New CMO
Thinking of applying for the Cashrewards CMO gig? Here are some insider tips that, yes, are tantamount to cheating.
‘I Ask For The TV Industry To Stand Up And Defend Itself’ – Seven Boss James Warburton Steps Down
The Seven supremo heads for the exits after five years. Here's hoping the Spotlight team organised the farewell bash.
Poh! Jamie! Adriano! Paramount ANZ reveals its tasty plans for this year’s MasterChef
It's your fan's guide to this year's MasterChef! Although no tips on how to pronounce crudités or use a un fait-tout.
Dentsu’s iProspect Partners With MOOD Tea Ahead Of May Campaign Launch
We love a Mood Tea here at B&T. Although we do store old screws and nails in the International Roast caterer's tin.
Opinion: When Culture Starts Eating Itself: Navigating The Age Of Self-eating Nostalgia
Born boss David Coupland asks is adland going through a nostalgia period? But please, no repeats of Best Of Red Faces.
Who’s Going To Cannes?! The TikTok Young Lions Winners!
It's Aussie adland's next gen! They're off to Cannes with high hopes of bringing back a Lion & a foot-long Toblerone.
Adobe Launches Express Mobile App With Firefly AI
Want to be the coolest kid at Friday staff drinks but forgot your retro Nikes? This new Adobe wizardry may do the trick.
ThinkNewsBrands & IMAA Extend News Publishing Education In Brisbane
Industry duo takes its publishing roadshow to Brisbane. Was disappointed no male attendees were wearing walk socks.
B&T Chats With Wavemaker’s Provocative Pioneers On Their Cross-Pacific Sojourn
B&T TV heads to Wavemaker's Sydney digs to interview two staffers from its New York & LA digs. If that makes sense?
HoMie & Champion Launch “Give One. Get One” Campaign Supporting Youth Homelessness Via Town Square
Much like the fête's prized chutney wears a blue winners sash, so too should this top initiative from HoMie & Champion.
Thinkerbell Takes Us Back To Summer In Latest Work For XXXX
This beer ad wants to take you back to summer! Just minus any chance of a shark attack on your morning bus commute.
Cannes Lions Unveils 2024 Programme Featuring Queen Latifah, Jay Shetty & P&G’s Mark Pritchard
Are you one of the lucky ducks heading to Cannes in June? Check out the headliner acts you'll be queueing hours to see.
Scroll Media Recruits Costa Panagos From Twitch
Costa Panagos set to bring South American flair to the Scroll offices. Assuming that he is, indeed, South American.
Year13, Microsoft & KPMG Australia Launch AI Course For Gen Zs
Born around the 2000s? Need to amp up your AI creds? This guide's for you (although it's not really that age specific).
General Motors Snares Heath Walker From Scania
Do you rage about oversized American cars on our roads? You need to bail up Heath Walker at parties & industry events.
VML Launches New “Envoyage” Brand For Flight Centre
VML unveils new brand for travel operator Flight Centre. Alas, no sign of those paid actors pretending to be pilots.
Subaru Places Media Account Up For Review
Subaru puts media up for review, as adland journos get set for mandatory "agency drives off with..." headline.
TV Ratings (17/04/2024): Contestants Faced With Harsh Realities As Alone Australia Heats Up (Or Cools Down)
Alone still doing the business for SBS. Overly long train journeys not doing the business, but they persist anyway.
Ben Fordham Loses Number One Spot As Ray Hadley Celebrates 156th Ratings Win
The radio numbers are in! Discover who's off for a boozy lunch today & who's waiting for the dreaded HR death knock.
Gourmet Ice Cream Brand Connoisseur Launches New “Thrill Your Senses” Iteration, Via SICKDOGWOLFMAN
Rattling the old "truth in advertising" adage comes this ice-cream spot full of noticeably thin people.
Paramount’s Global Sales Boss: ‘Australia’s Converged Model Is A Blueprint For How I’d Like All Of Our Markets To Be’
Paramount's global sales boss gives local sales ops the thumbs up. Didn't weigh-in on the Lisa Wilkinson debacle.
TikTok Starts Testing Its Instagram Rival In Australia
In exciting news for piano playing cats & brattish pranks in shopping centres, TikTok unveils its Insta rival plans.
Man Wrongly Named By Seven As Bondi Killer Hires Lawyers
Struggling to save for a house deposit? Why not get wrongly identified by Sunrise!
Smartsheet Appoints Indie Agency Sandbox Media To Its Media Account
Can't stand your colleagues? Like to dob them in when they miss a deadline? These work management platforms are ideal.
Boss Not Letting You Come To Cannes In Cairns? Use This Business Case To Convince Them!
Stingy boss won't spring for a ticket to Cairns? Add this to your persuasive argument repertoire. Or grovel.
Alt/shift/ Brisbane Builds Portfolio With Ausbuild Creative, PR, Content & Social Account Win
The Brisbane comms/PR agency lands constructor Ausbuild. Also hoping for a discount on its new glass conservatory.
Young Guns Versus The Old Guard: Who Adds More Value to Our Industry?
Cannes In Cairns poking this hornet's nest in a lively debate. Just so long as the oldies can get up the stairs.
70% Of Aussies Don’t Have Green Power Plans ENGIE Says In Major Brand Campaign Via HERO
Are you the notorious "light leaver on-er" in your flatshare? Quell any infighting with this green energy news.
PrettyGood Launches Offering Brand & Media Solutions For Australasian SMEs
B&T applauds the charitable nature of this new agency. Although we'd hate to see it impact any Chrissie present sends.
A Blunt End: Dolphins Medicinal Cannabis Sponsorship At Risk
Yes, it's another NRL drug story. Yet, thankfully it doesn't involve coke in Kuta during the off-season.
Slew Of New Creative Hires At Leo Burnett Australia
Ahhh, all black! The outfit of choice for agency creatives, David Jones staff and everyone in Melbourne.
Under Armour Unveils Local “Live in UA” Campaign
American apparel brand set for yet another tilt at the Aussie market, as Nike declares "we'll see about that".
Pepsi Launches New Look, Refreshing Classic Fashion Staples Via Special PR
Are you always the bridesmaid, never the bride, as the old saying goes? How do you think Pepsi feels?
Pure Blonde Returns To A Place Purer Than Yours In New Campaign Via The Monkeys
B&T's always been a huge fan of the 'drink yourself thinner' diet plan. So big thanks to Pure blonde, vodka & tequila.