Electorates and elites – how deep is the gap. Definition: a combination of beliefs that the country is led in the right direction, that the will of the people is respected and that the government is efficient.
Only one third of global citizens evaluate their governments favorably. But the differences between global regions and within some of these regions are quite significant:
- The old democratic world (EU) is largely unsatisfied with its governments – only one out of four are satisfied. The leader of this old democratic world (USA) is even more dissatisfied – only one out of five.
- People in India and East Asia are for the most part those most satisfied with their governments.
- Those surveyed in the Philippines, Vietnam and India are leading in satisfaction with their governments – over 70% satisfaction compared with less than 10% of adults across Latvia, Japan and Croatia
In general, the Voice of the People Government Index shows that the gap between politicians and their citizens is bigger in more developed and democratic countries. Such massive discontent creates conditions for populist movements and far right/left waves.
The high levels of discontent in USA and Europe poses a real treat to the democratic model of governance and to it’s image across the world. Authoritarian governments tend to garner more satisfaction because they create an illusion of stronger national identity.
Kancho Stoychev, President GIA:
“It’s a paradox: the more rich and democratic the country is the more dissatisfied from their governments the people are. That means that there is a major default in these societies most probably related to their elites and especially to the mass perception of them. It’s not only their bad image – it’s their distance from real life”
Johnny Heald, Vice President GIA:
“While the trappings of capitalism may seem attractive to many living outside Europe and North America, their citizens are also some of the most discontent with their Government. These governments have a lot to learn from those in Asia where significantly higher numbers feel they are efficient, respect the will of the people more and are taking their countries in the right direction”.
Methodology:
The Gallup International End of Year Survey (EoY) is an annual tradition initiated by and designed under the chairmanship of Dr. George Gallup in 1977. It is conducted every year since then. This year it was carried out by the Gallup International Association in partnership with WIN in 55 countries around the world.
Regions coverage:
- EU Total – combines EU West and EU East
- EU West – Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherland, Spain, Sweden, UK
- EU East – Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia
- Non-EU Europe – Albania, Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, Ukraine
- Latin America – Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru
- East Asia – Bangladesh, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Vietnam
- West Asia – Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Turkey
- Middle East – Iraq
- Africa – Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa
USA, India and Russia are not included in any other regional category
Sample Size and Mode of Field Work:
A total of 53769 persons were interviewed globally. In each country a representative sample of around 1000 men and women was interviewed either face to face (23 countries; n=24235), via telephone (13 countries; n=11656) or online (19 countries; n=17878). The field work was conducted during October 2017 – December 2017. The margin of error for the survey is between +3-5% at 95% confidence level.”
About Gallup International
Gallup International Association (GIA) is the leading association in market research and polling and this year celebrates its 70th anniversary.
For 70 years Gallup International Members have demonstrated their expert ability to conduct multi-country surveys on a comparable basis and deliver the highest quality. Their Members are leading national institutes with a profound local knowledge of research methods and techniques, statistical sources, customs and culture differences of its own country and carefully selected by the Association Board. With only one Member agency per country, Members work together on a daily basis to share knowledge, new research techniques and tools, as well as to provide the most appropriate solutions to international research projects and service our clients to the best of our abilities.
For more information:
- Kancho Stoychev (in Sofia), +359 88 8611025
- Johnny Heald (in London), +44 7973 600308