2002 GMF survey of European public opinion

 

 

 

 

Q.1a What would you say is the most important issue facing [country] today? (DO NOT PROMPT)

 

Q.1b What other issue do you think is particularly important ? (IF REQUIRED CODE ONE ISSUE ONLY)

 

Foreign policy / overseas affairs:

Russia/China

The situation in Iraq

Middle East

Defence/foreign affairs

 

Economy:

Common Market/EU/Europe/Single European Currency

Pensions/social security

Unemployment/factory closure/lack of industry

Economy/economic situation

Taxation

Inflation/prices

Trade unions/strikes

Privatisation

 

Social:

Education

Housing

Crime/law & order/violence/vandalism

Race relations/immigration/immigrants

Drug abuse

Poverty/inequality

Morality/individual behaviour

Low pay/minimum wage/fair wages

Political corruption

 

Health:

National Health Service/Hospitals

AIDS

 

War / security:

International terrorism

Threats to peace/risk of war

Nuclear weapons/nuclear war/disarmament

 

Environment:

Animal welfare

Pollution/environment

Transport/public transport

Petrol prices/fuel

 

 

Other  [Specify]

Don't know

 

 

Q.2 [CCFR 8] Now I am going to read a list of government programs.  For each, I'd like you to tell me whether you feel it should be expanded, cut back or kept about the same.  (READ AND RANDOMLY ROTATE a-e)

 

1.   Expand

2.   Cut back

3.   Kept about the same

4.   DK

5.   RF

 

            a.   Aid to education

            b.   Defense spending

            c.   Social welfare and health

            d.   Economic aid to other nations

e.       Programs to combat violence and crime

 

 

Q 3. [CCFR 10] Turning to the United States, do you think the following US government programs should be expanded, cut back or kept about the same? (READ AND ROTATE a-b)

 

1.   Expand

2.   Cut back

3.   Kept about the same

4.   DK

5.   RF

 

a.       Defense spending

b.      Economic aid to other nations

 

 

Q.4 By the way, do you happen to know the name of the President of the United States?

 

1.   Correct name – George W. Bush

2.   Other

3.   DK

 

 

Q.5 [CCFR 26] I would like to know how much influence you think each of the following countries has in the world. Please answer on a 0 to 10 scale; with 0 meaning it is not at all influential and 10 meaning it is extremely influential. (READ AND RANDOMLY ROTATE a-g)

 

      a.   The United States

      b.   Russia

      c.   Germany

      d.   China

      e.   Great Britain

      f.    France

      g.   European Union

 

 

Randomly rotate the order of Q.6 and Q.7

 

Q.6 [CCFR 31] From your point of view, how desirable is it that the US exert strong leadership in world affairs? Very desirable, somewhat desirable, somewhat undesirable, or very undesirable?

 

1.   Very desirable                                                                                         

2.   Somewhat desirable                                                                     

3.   Somewhat undesirable                                                                 

4.   Very undesirable                                                                          

5.   Neither or both equally [volunteered]        

6.   DK                                                                                  

7.   RF                                               

                       

 

Q.7 [CCFR 32] From your point of view, how desirable is it that the European Union exert strong leadership in world affairs? Very desirable, somewhat desirable, somewhat undesirable, or very undesirable?

 

1.   Very desirable                                                                                         

2.   Somewhat desirable                                                                    

3.   Somewhat undesirable                                                                 

4.   Very undesirable                                                                          

5.   Neither or both equally [volunteered]        

6.   DK                                                                                  

7.   RF                                               

 

 

Q.8 [CCFR 28] Which of the following do you think is more important in determining a country’s overall power and influence in the world – a country’s economic strength, or its military strength? (READ AND ROTATE 1-2)

 

1.   Economic strength

2.   Military strength

3.   DK

4.   RF

 

 

Q.9 [CCFR 29] Do you think it will be best for the future of [own country] if we take an active part in world affairs or if we stay out of world affairs?

 

1.   Active part

2.   Stay out

3.   Not sure

4.   RF

 

 

 

Q.10 [CCFR 34] How do you rate the George W. Bush administration’s handling of the following problems?  Would you say the American administration's handling of (READ AND RANDOMLY ROTATE a-g) has been excellent, good, fair, or poor?  How about… 

 

1.   Excellent

2.   Good

3.   Fair

4.   Poor

5.   DK

6.   RF

 

            a.   Overall foreign policy

            b.   International terrorism

            c.   The Arab/Israeli conflict

            d.   The situation in Iraq

            e.   Global warming

            f.    The war in Afghanistan

g.   Relations with Europe

 

 

Q.11 [CCFR 55] In terms of [own country] vital interests today, which is more important to [own country] – the European Union or the United States of America?

 

1.   European Union

2.   United States

3.   Both equally important [volunteered only]

4.   DK

5.   RF

 

 

Q.12 [CCFR 61] In thinking about international affairs, which statement comes closer to your position about the United States and the European Union (READ AND ROTATE 1-2)

 

1.   The US should remain the only superpower [go to Q.13a]

2.   The European Union should become a superpower, like the United States [go to Q.13b]

3.   No country should be a superpower [volunteered]

4.   Other [volunteered, specify]

5.   DK

6.   RF

 

 

[Asked only to those who answer 1 to Q.12]

Q.13a [CCFR 61a] What role then do you see for the European Union?

 

1.   Only a European role, relying on the US for global responsibilities

2.   The European Union should not deal with international problems

3.   Both [volunteered]

4.   DK

5.   RF

 

[Asked only to those who answer 2 to Q.12]

Q.13b The European Union should become a superpower …

 

1.   To better compete with the US or

2.   To cooperate effectively with the US in dealing with international problems.

3.   Both [volunteered]

4.   DK

5.   RF

 

 

[Asked only to those who answer 2 to Q.12]

Q.13b1 Would you be willing for Europe to be a superpower even if this implies greater military expenditures?

 

1.   Yes

2.   No

3.   DK

4.   RF

 

 

Q.14 [CCFR 41] [Randomly split half] I am going to read you a list of possible threats to the vital interest of [own country OR Europe] in the next 10 years. For each one, please tell me if you see this as an extremely important threat, an important  threat, or not an important threat at all.  (READ AND RANDOMLY ROTATE a-k)

 

1.   Extremely important

2.   Important

3.   Not important

4.   DK

5.   RF

 

a.       Political turmoil in Russia

            b.   Economic competition from the United States

            c.   The development of China as a world power

            d.   Islamic fundamentalism

            e.   International terrorism

            f.    Large numbers of immigrants and refugees coming into [own country OR Europe]

            g.   Global warming

            h.   Globalization

            i.    Military conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors

            j.    Iraq developing weapons of mass destruction

            k.   Tensions between India and Pakistan

 

 

Q.15 [CCFR 36] Next I’d like you to rate your feelings toward some countries, with one hundred meaning a very warm, favorable feeling, zero meaning a very cold, unfavorable feeling, and fifty meaning not particularly warm or cold. You can use any number from zero to one hundred. If you have no opinion or have never heard of that country, please say so…  (READ AND RANDOMLY ROTATE a-h)

 

                                    RECORD TEMPERATURE

 

999            NOT FAMILIAR

998            DK

997      RF

 

            a.   United States

            b.   Russia

            c.   Germany

            d.   Israel

            e.   Great Britain

f.        France

g.       European Union

            h.   Iraq

 

Q.16 [CCFR 58] Some people say that NATO is still essential to our country security. Others say it is no longer essential. Which of these views is closer to your own?

 

1.   Still essential

2.   No longer essential

3.   DK

4.   RF

 

 

Q.17 [CCFR 59] Would you favor or oppose expansion of NATO to include each of the following countries? (READ AND RANDOMLY ROTATE a-f) How about…

           

1.   Favor

2.   Oppose

3.   DK

4.   RF

           

a.   Romania

b.   Slovakia

c.   Bulgaria

d.   Slovenia

e.   The Baltic states, that is, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia

f.    Russia

 

Q.18  Do you happen to know where the NATO headquarters are located?

 

1.   Brussels

2.   Belgium

3.   Other [specify]

4.   DK

 

 

Q.19 [CCFR 49] For each of the following reasons, would you approve or disapprove of the use of [own country] military troops (READ AND RANDOMLY ROTATE a-f)?

 

1.   Approve

2.   Disapprove

3.   DK

4.   RF

 

a.    To ensure the supply of oil

b.   To destroy a terrorist camp

c.    To help bring peace in a region where there is civil war

d.   To liberate hostages

e.    To  assist a population struck by famine

h.       To uphold international law

 

 

Q.20  [CCFR 60] Please tell me if you agree or disagree with the following statement: It makes sense for Europe and the US to specialize in their role in the world. Because the US has the strongest military, the US should take the lead responsibility and supply most of the forces when it comes to military conflict. Europe should instead emphasize things like assisting poor countries  develop their economies and trying to help reconstruct societies after a war.

 

1.   Agree

2.   Disagree

3.   DK

4.   RF 

 

 

Q. 21 [CCFR 43] There has been some discussion about whether the US should use its troops to invade Iraq and overthrow the government of Saddam Hussein. Which of the following positions is closest to yours: [READ AND RANDOMLY ROTATE 1-3]

 

1.   The US should not invade Iraq

2.   The US should only invade Iraq with UN approval and the support of its allies

3.   The US should invade Iraq even if they have to do it alone

4.   DK

5.   RF

 

 

Q. 22 [EXPERIMENT – RANDOMLY SPLIT SAMPLE] Imagine now that Iraq is found [to be acquiring weapons of mass destruction OR to have helped the terrorist group of Osama bin Laden]. The United States is considering attacking Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein [with OR without the approval of the United Nations]. The war is expected to entail [many OR a few] western military casualties. Should [country] government take part in this military action or should we stay out of it?

 

1.      Take part

2.      Stay out

3.      DK

4.      RF

 

 

Moving now to the Middle East.

 

Q.23 [CCFR 71] Do you favor or oppose the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip?

 

1.   Favor

2.   Oppose

3.   DK

4.   RF

 

 

[Randomly rotate the order of Q.24 and Q.25]

 

Q.24 [CCFR 77] In the Middle East conflict, would you like to see the European Union be more involved in the negotiations while also bearing more of the political and economic costs?

 

1.   Yes

2.   No

3.   DK

4.   RF

 

 

Q.25 In the Middle East conflict, would you like to see the US be more involved in the negotiations while also bearing more of the political and economic costs?

 

1.   Yes

2.   No

3.   DK

4.   RF

 

 

Q.26 [CCFR 80] In order to combat international terrorism, please say whether you favor or oppose each of the following measures.   First, … How about … (READ AND ROTATE a-e)

           

1.   Favor

2.   Oppose

3.   DK

4.   RF

 

a.   Air strikes against terrorist training camps and other facilities

b.   Attacks by ground troops against terrorist training camps and other facilities

c.   Assassination of terrorist leaders

d.   Helping poor countries develop their economies

e.   Restricting immigration into [own country]

 

 

Q.27 Some say American foreign policy has contributed to the September 11 attacks. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Strongly or somewhat?

 

1.   Strongly agree

2.   Agree somewhat

3.   Somewhat disagree

4.   Strongly disagree

5.   DK

6.   RF

 

 

Q.28 Do you think the United States is using these attacks as an excuse to enforce its will around the globe or is it genuinely seeking to protect itself from further attacks?

 

1.   Excuse to enforce its will

2.   Seeking to protect itself from further attacks

3.   Both [volunteered]

4.   Neither [volunteered]

5.   DK

6.   RF

 

 

Q.29 [CCFR 52] Some say that because of the increasing interaction between countries, we need to strengthen international institutions to deal with shared problems.  Others say that this would only create bigger, unwieldy bureaucracies.  For each of the following institutions, please tell me if it needs to be strengthened or not. (READ AND ROTATE a-d).

 

1.   Yes, need to strengthened

2.   No, don’t need to strengthened

3.   DK

4.   RF

 

a.       The World Trade Organization (or WTO)

b.      NATO

c.       The World Bank OR The International Monetary Fund (IMF) [Randomly split half]

d.      The United Nations

 

 

Q.30 [CCFR 87] In general, do you think that the following countries practice fair trade or unfair trade with Europe? First,… How about, … (READ AND ROTATE a-b)

 

1.   Fair trade

2.   Unfair trade

3.   DK

4.   RF

 

a.       The United States

b.      Japan

 

 

Q.31 [CCFR 88] [randomly split half] Overall would you say you strongly support, moderately support, moderately oppose, or strongly oppose the use of [biotechnology OR genetic manipulation] in agriculture and food production?

 

1.   Strongly support

2.   Moderately support

3.   Moderately oppose

4.   Strongly oppose

5.   DK

6.   RF

 

 

Q.32 [CCFR 93] Overall, do you think globalization is good or bad for…. (READ AND RANDOMLY ROTATE a-d)

 

1.   Good

2.   Bad

3.   Equally good and bad [volunteered]

4.   Neither good nor bad [volunteered]

5.   DK

6.   RF

 

a.       The [own country] economy

b.      Providing jobs and strengthening the economy in poor countries

c.       Maintaining cultural diversity in the world

d.      Your own standard of living

 

 

 

Background

 

Age

 

Sex

 

Left-Right continuum

 

Party preference

 

Occupation

 

Number of people in household