Global Poll Shows Support for
Increased Government Spending and Regulation

Backgrounder: Country-by-Country Results

AMERICAS

Canada

Canadians rank third among those most in favour of increasing expenditure on clean and renewable energy, and also express the third highest level of support for American and European Union leaders’ efforts to address the global financial crisis. They have one of the largest majorities expressing satisfaction with their own leaders’ response to the financial crisis, and make up the second largest majority saying that the benefits and burdens of recent economic developments have been distributed fairly.

Two out of every three (68%) Canadians support significant increases in government spending to stimulate the economy. An overwhelming majority (85%) favour increasing government spending on renewable energy and clean technology to stimulate the economy. A plurality (50%) support the government providing financial support to industries. However, a modest majority (56%) oppose providing financial assistance to troubled banks.
A majority (65%) support increased government regulation of the economy and a plurality (49%) favour granting international institutions more power to regulate the global economy.
Most have favourable views of American (65%), EU (53%) and G20 (52%) leaders’ efforts to address the global financial crisis.
Canadians have mixed views of World Bank and IMF efforts (42% satisfied, 40% dissatisfied).
Modest majorities are dissatisfied with executives of international companies (55%) and banks (53%). A plurality (36%) also views Chinese leaders’ efforts as unsatisfactory.
Fifty-seven percent of Canadians express satisfaction with their national leaders. The same number (57%) say that the benefits and burdens of recent economic developments have been shared fairly.

Chile

Chileans are supportive of increases in government stimulus spending and regulation of the national economy. A majority believes that their government is performing well and yet a similar number believe economic consequences are not distributed fairly. Relatively high numbers offer no response when asked about the performance of various leaders, leaving a mixed picture.

Sixty-eight percent favour significantly increasing government spending to stimulate the economy. A strong majority (75%) support significantly increasing government spending on renewable energy and clean technology to stimulate the economy. A majority (58%) support giving financial assistance to major industries and companies in trouble, while a slight majority (52%) support giving similar aid to banks.
A large majority (77%) favour increasing government regulation and oversight of the national economy, while only a plurality (49%) support giving international institutions more power to regulate the global economy.
Pluralities are satisfied with the efforts of leaders in the US (49%), the EU (39%), and the G20 (35%).
Chileans are divided on satisfaction with the efforts of executives of major banks (35% satisfied to 34% dissatisfied), the World Bank and IMF leadership (30% to 27%), executives of international companies (29% to 25%), and China’s leaders (28% to 27%).
A slight majority (54%) are satisfied with the efforts of their leaders to address the current financial crisis. However, 57 percent believe the benefits and burdens of the crisis are not being shared equally.

Mexico

Mexicans are the most opposed to giving financial support to banks in trouble. Mexicans are overwhelmingly dissatisfied with their leaders’ performance on the international crisis, do not approve of the performance of any of the international actors asked about and are the most dissatisfied of all countries with the efforts of leaders of the G20 to handle the global economic crisis.

Seventy-five percent of Mexicans favour significantly increasing government spending to stimulate the economy. An even higher 84% favour more stimulus spending focused on renewable energy. A majority (57%) favour giving financial support to major industries and companies in trouble, while a strong majority (76%) oppose giving financial support to banks in trouble.
Nearly eight-in-ten (79%) favour increasing government regulation, but 60 percent oppose giving international institutions the power to regulate the global economy.
Mexicans are divided on the European Union’s leadership efforts to handle the global financial crisis (28% satisfied, 28% dissatisfied).
Majorities or pluralities are dissatisfied with efforts of executives of major banks (81%), executives of international companies (66%), the World Bank and IMF (64%), the leadership of the G20 (56%), the US (56 %), and China (36%).
An overwhelming majority of Mexicans (88%) are dissatisfied with the effort of Mexican leaders to address the current financial crisis. A strong majority (69%) believe the consequences of economic development have not been shared fairly in Mexico.

United States

The majority of Americans that oppose giving financial support to major industries and companies in trouble is the highest of all countries polled, and the third highest in opposing such support to banks in trouble.

Americans are divided (48% favour, 48% oppose) on the government significantly increasing government spending to stimulate the economy. Yet two-thirds (67%) favour stimulus spending on renewable energy and clean technology. Majorities oppose giving financial support to troubled banks (63%) and industries (55%).
A plurality (50%) of Americans support increasing government regulation and oversight of the national economy, while a slight majority (52%) is against giving international institutions regulatory power.
A plurality of Americans are satisfied with the efforts of EU leaders in addressing the crisis (42% satisfied to 34% dissatisfied).
Majorities or pluralities are negative about the efforts of bank executives (72%), executives of international companies (57%), the World Bank and the IMF (49%), the leaders of the G20 (49%) and China (46%).
Americans are divided on the US leaders’ performance (49% satisfied, 49% dissatisfied). A majority (54%) believe that the benefits and burdens of economic development have not been shared fairly in their country.

EUROPE

France

An overwhelming majority of French people—the highest of any country polled--say that economic gains and losses are spread inequitably in France. They are second only to Germans in negative opinions on the performance of bank executives. Respondents in France are among the most supportive of government support for failing industries.

Fifty-one percent of French people believe that the government should not significantly increase stimulus spending, while 74% favour spending focused on clean energy. A strong majority (76%) agree with financial support to major industries and companies in trouble, although 62% are opposed to such support for banks.
Two-in-three (67%) support increasing government regulation and oversight of the national economy, while a more modest majority (55%) support giving international institutions more power to regulate the global economy
A slight majority (54%) believe that US leaders are doing a good job dealing with the current financial crisis.
French express dissatisfaction with the performance of bank executives (83%), international company executives (75%), Chinese leaders (65%), G20 leaders (61%), the World Bank and IMF (52%), and the EU (49%).
A majority (67%) disapprove of how French leaders are dealing with the crisis. A strong majority (84%) believe that the economic benefits and burdens have been shared unfairly in France.

Germany

An overwhelming majority of Germans - the largest of all countries polled - are dissatisfied with the executives of major banks and executives of international companies. They are also among the most critical of how the benefits and burdens of the economic crisis have been distributed in their country.

A slim majority (53%) oppose increasing government spending to stimulate the economy, but a large majority (75%) support increasing spending when tied to clean technology and renewable energy. Three-in-four (74%) disapprove of government support for failing banks, while 54 percent disapprove of similar support for industry.

Two-thirds of respondents (66%) favour increasing oversight of the national economy by the German government; however, most (54%) oppose empowering international institutions to increase regulation of the global economy.
Most Germans (61%) are satisfied with American leaders’ response to the global financial crisis.
Majorities disapprove of the performance of bank executives (89%), executives of international companies (79%), Chinese leaders (68%), the World Bank and IMF (67%), EU leaders (53%), and G20 leaders (52%).
A majority (61%) are dissatisfied with the efforts of their leaders to address the financial crisis and say that the burden and benefits of economic developments have not been shared fairly (76%).

Russia

Russians are among the most supportive of increased national regulation of the economy, increased government stimulus spending, and support for failing industries, with eight in ten favouring them.. Along with Turkey, they are the second most critical of how the costs and benefits of the economic situation have been shared—with three in four expressing dissatisfaction.

Roughly eight-in-ten (81%) favour increased stimulus spending by the Russian government and a similar 78 percent favour such spending when targeted toward renewable energy. A very large majority (78%) support government assistance for major industries and companies in trouble, but only a plurality (44%) support the same assistance for banks in trouble.
An overwhelming majority (85%) are in favour of more regulation of the national economy, while only a plurality (41%) are in favour of more regulation by international institutions.
Large portions of Russian respondents gave no answer when asked to judge the response to the crisis by international actors.
Pluralities disapprove of how the following leaders have responded to the situation: bank executives (42%), international company executives (40%), the US (37%), the World Bank and IMF (36%), the EU (31%), and the G20 (28%).
A lukewarm plurality (49%) approve of how the Russian government has acted, with 43 percent disapproving. However, a very large majority (77%) believe the consequences of the economic crisis have been distributed unfairly.

United Kingdom

Britons are among the most critical of how bank executives have dealt with the economic crisis (8 in 10). They are also among the most supportive of government assistance for struggling companies (3 in 4).

A majority (60%) favour significantly increasing government spending to stimulate the economy. Three-in-four (76%) support significantly increasing government spending on renewable energy and clean technology to stimulate the economy. Majorities favour giving financial support to major industries and companies in trouble (73%) and banks in trouble (55%).
Similar majorities approve of increased government regulation of the national economy (55%) and increased regulatory powers for international bodies (53%).
More than half (56%) are satisfied with the efforts of US leaders.
They are divided on the performance of the leaders of the G20 (44% satisfied, 48% dissatisfied).
Britons are negative about the efforts of bank executives (78%), the World Bank and IMF (58%), executives of international companies (56%), EU leaders (51%), and Chinese leaders (39%).
A majority (62%) of Britons disapprove of their leaders’ response and a modest majority (57%) believe that the benefits and burdens of the economic development have not been shared fairly in their country.

MIDDLE EAST

Egypt

Egyptians had the second highest support for significantly increasing spending to stimulate the economy and the highest support for giving money to troubled banks. Egyptians had the highest positive view of international company executives’ efforts during the financial crisis and had the most positive view of G20 leaders’ efforts. Egyptians were also one of only three countries that had a positive view of the role of bank executives.

Eighty-three percent of Egyptians support significantly increasing government spending to stimulate the economy. A slightly lower 78 percent support increased spending on renewable energy as part of the stimulus. Overwhelming majorities back giving financial support to banks (85%) and major industries and companies in trouble (82%).
More than eight-in-ten (84%) support increasing government regulation in Egypt and a majority (62%) believe international organizations should be given more power to regulate the global economy.
Majorities are satisfied with how the following groups have responded to the crisis: bank executives (64%), executives of international companies (63%), G20 leaders (60%), Chinese leaders (57%), and the World Bank and IMF (54%).
Egyptians are divided on the efforts of leaders in the US (50% satisfied, 48% dissatisfied) and the EU (50%, 47%).
Egyptians support their leaders’ efforts to deal with the current financial crisis (63%). However, a strong majority of Egyptians (62%) believe that the benefits and burdens of economic development have not been shared fairly.

Turkey

Turks offer the second largest opposition to stimulus spending focused on clean energy—though this is still only a plurality. They offer a negative review of how all international actors in the poll have handled the financial crisis. Indeed, they are most negative among all countries surveyed on the performance of leaders in China, the EU, and US.

Pluralities oppose significantly increasing government spending to stimulate the economy (49%) and such spending when focused on renewable energy (44%). A plurality of Turks favour giving government support for major industries and companies in trouble (43%) but oppose giving it to banks and financial institutions (43%).
Forty-six percent oppose increased government regulation and a slight majority (51%) oppose increased international regulations of the world economy.
Turks are dissatisfied with the response to the current financial crisis by EU leaders (76%), Chinese leaders (72%), US leaders (72%), executives of international corporations (71%), the World Bank and IMF (71%), bank executives (65%), and G20 leaders (60%).
A majority (65%) are dissatisfied with their own leaders. Seventy-seven percent also believe that the economic burdens and benefits have been distributed unfairly.

AFRICA

Kenya

Kenyans are exceptionally positive about leaders’ performance in the crisis - they are the most satisfied of all countries polled with the response of leaders in the United States and third most satisfied with the crisis efforts of executives of major banks. Also, Kenyans are among the most favourable of helping failing banks.

Seven-in-ten (71%) favour significantly increasing government stimulus spending, while a similar majority (72%) favour stimulus spending dedicated to renewable energy. Large majorities favour giving financial support to major industries and companies in trouble (76%), as well as troubled banks (72%).
A very large majority (80%) support increasing government regulation and oversight of the national economy, while a smaller majority (58%) support giving international institutions the power to regulate the global economy.
Majorities approve of the crisis efforts of US leaders (78%), the World Bank and IMF (70%), EU leaders (67%), Chinese leaders (62%), executives of international companies (58%), bank executives (55%), and G20 leaders (53%).
A slight majority (51%) of Kenyans are dissatisfied with the efforts of their leaders to address the current financial crisis. Also, a majority (56%) believe the benefits and burdens of economic development have not been fairly shared in Kenya.

Nigeria

Nigerians overwhelming support is the highest of all countries polled for several responses to the financial crisis, including stimulus spending, assistance for failing industries, and giving international institutions more power to regulate the global economy. They are also the most satisfied with the response to the financial crisis of the World Bank and IMF and G20 leaders.

Overwhelming majorities approve of significantly increasing government spending to stimulate the economy (87%) and stimulus spending toward developing clean energy (88%). Strong support also exists for government support to failing industries (87%) and failing banks (83%).
Eighty-seven percent are in favour of more government regulation of the Nigerian economy. Seventy-nine percent are also in favour of giving international organizations regulatory power in the global economy.
Strong majorities approve of the leadership efforts of the World Bank and IMF (71%), executives of major banks (66%), China (66%), the US (65%), the G20 (64%), the EU (62%), and executives of international companies (61%).
A majority (56%) of Nigerians negatively view the efforts of their leaders to address the current financial crisis. A majority (57%) believe the benefits and burdens of economic development have not been distributed equitably in their country.

ASIA PACIFIC

Australia

Australians have the second highest satisfaction with their leaders’ efforts to address the financial crisis, as well as the highest percent saying the benefits and burdens of recent economic developments have been shared fairly in their country. Australians are among the highest of all countries polled to support significantly increasing government spending to stimulate the economy in general and increased spending on renewable energy and clean technology more specifically.

Seventy-three percent favour significantly increasing government stimulus spending. Support is higher (82%) for increased spending on renewable energy and clean technology to stimulate the economy. Sixty-three percent also favour giving financial support to major industries and companies in trouble. However, a slight majority (51%) oppose giving financial support to banks that are in trouble.
Two-thirds (67%) support increasing government regulation and oversight of the national economy, but views are divided on giving international institutions the power to regulate the global economy.
Majorities are satisfied with the efforts of the United States (62%) and the G20 (54%), and a plurality (49%) approve of the efforts of European leaders.
Australians are divided on the efforts of Chinese leaders (37% satisfied, 40% dissatisfied).
Majorities were dissatisfied with bank executives (67%) and multinational corporate executives (59%).
Australians are highly satisfied (68%) with effort’s of Australian leaders to address the current financial crisis. A majority (64%) believe the benefits and burdens of economic development have been fairly shared in Australia.

China

An overwhelming majority of Chinese—the highest of nations polled--express support for increasing government regulation and oversight of the national economy to address the current economic crisis. At the same time an overwhelming majority expresses satisfaction with the response to the crisis by their own leaders, though they are divided on how fairly the benefits and costs of economic development have been distributed.

Six-in-ten (62%) support significantly increasing government spending to stimulate the economy, while an overwhelming majority (92%) support directing this money to renewable energy. Eighty percent favour government support for major industries and companies in trouble and 69 percent favour similar support for failing banks.
Nearly all (94%) Chinese approve of higher government regulation of their economy, while two-thirds (68%) approve of more regulatory power for international bodies.
Pluralities are satisfied with the efforts to address the crisis by executives of major banks (46%), the World Bank and IMF (43%), executives of international companies (37%), and EU leaders (36%).
The Chinese are divided on the efforts of US leaders (39% satisfied, 35% dissatisfied).
A very large majority (88%) expresses satisfaction with efforts of Chinese leaders to address the current financial crisis. However, Chinese were divided on whether the positives and negatives of economic growth have been distributed equally (44% fairly, 48% unfairly).

India

Though only a plurality, Indians are among the highest in believing that the burdens and benefits of economic development have been distributed equally in their country. They also give among the highest approval for economic support from the government to troubled banks and financial institutions.

A modest majority (59%) believe that the government should significantly increase stimulus spending. Slightly fewer Indians (52%) believe the government should spend this money on clean energy technology. Majorities favour government assistance for failing banks (64%) and industries (61%).
Fifty-seven percent support both increased government regulation of the economy and broader regulatory powers for international organizations.
Pluralities are satisfied with the crisis response of G20 leaders (49%), executives of international companies (45%), bank executives (45%), the World Bank and IMF (44%), US leaders (37%), and EU leaders (35%).
The performance of Indian leaders is approved by a plurality (47%), while a similar number (45%) say that the consequences of economic development are being shared fairly.

Indonesia

Indonesians are among the highest in supporting additional government regulation and oversight of the national economy. They are also one of the most supportive Asian publics of increased stimulus spending by their government.

A majority (61%) of Indonesians support significantly increasing government spending to stimulate the economy. Two-thirds (68%) support stimulus spending on renewable energy. On the other hand, pluralities oppose assistance to troubled major companies (48%) and banks (45%).
Eighty-five percent of Indonesians favour more government regulation of the economy, while a slight majority (55%) favour giving international institutions more power to regulate the global economy.
A plurality (34%) approve of how G20 leaders have dealt with the financial crisis.
Indonesians are divided on the performance of executives of multinational corporations (33% satisfied, 35% dissatisfied) and bank executives (36% satisfied, 38% dissatisfied).
Majorities disapprove of the response by Chinese leaders (51%) and US leaders.
A majority (57%) are pleased with what the leaders of Indonesia are doing to handle the current crisis. However, a plurality (47%) believes the benefits and burdens of development are being shared unfairly.

Japan

The Japanese are the second most dissatisfied with the response of their country’s leaders to the financial crisis, behind Mexico. They also offer the second greatest dissatisfaction with China’s leadership’s efforts to address the economic crisis. Respondents in Japan were the only Asian public to not support increased government regulation of their national economy.

A plurality (47%) favour significantly increasing stimulus spending and a clear majority (80%) favour increased spending on renewable energy and clean technology. Slightly fewer than half (49%) support government support for failing banks, but views are divided on support for troubled industries (45% favour, 42% oppose).
Japanese opinion is mixed on increased government regulation (38% favour, 37% oppose), but a plurality (42%) support more regulatory power for international institutions.
Majorities are dissatisfied with the efforts to address the crisis of the following international actors polled: Chinese leaders (69%), bank executives (69%), US leaders (55%), and international corporate executives (54%).
The Japanese are very negative (78%) about the efforts of Japanese leaders to address the current financial crisis. Correspondingly, a strong majority (73%) believe the benefits and burdens of economic development have not been fairly shared in Japan.

Philippines

Majorities of Filipinos express opposition to increased government spending for economic stimulus, clean energy stimulus spending, and more international economic regulation. They are the third most dissatisfied with their own country’s leaders’ response to the crisis.

Modest majorities (55% in both cases) of Filipinos reject government stimulus spending and increased spending on renewable energy. However, majorities support government assistance for failing industries and banks with 66 percent and 63 percent favouring each such measure respectively.
Two-thirds (67%) favour increased economic regulation within their own country, but 62% opposes giving international institutions more regulation authority.
Majorities are satisfied with what the leaders of the following groups are doing to address the financial crisis: the US (71%), the G20 (55%), the World Bank and IMF (55%), and the EU (52%).
Slightly more than half are dissatisfied with the efforts of bank executives (54%) and Chinese leaders (51%).
A large majority (76%) are dissatisfied with how Filipino leaders have responded and a corresponding 74 percent believe the benefits and burdens of the economic situation have been shared unfairly in the Philippines.