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Identity 2016: 'Global citizenship' rising, poll suggests | Identity 2016: 'Global citizenship' rising, poll suggests |
(about 5 hours later) | |
People are increasingly identifying themselves as global rather than national citizens, according to a BBC World Service poll. | People are increasingly identifying themselves as global rather than national citizens, according to a BBC World Service poll. |
The trend is particularly marked in emerging economies, where people see themselves as outward looking and internationally minded. | The trend is particularly marked in emerging economies, where people see themselves as outward looking and internationally minded. |
However, in Germany fewer people say they feel like global citizens now, compared with 2001. | However, in Germany fewer people say they feel like global citizens now, compared with 2001. |
Pollsters GlobeScan questioned more than 20,000 people in 18 countries. | Pollsters GlobeScan questioned more than 20,000 people in 18 countries. |
More than half of those asked (56%) in emerging economies saw themselves first and foremost as global citizens rather than national citizens. | More than half of those asked (56%) in emerging economies saw themselves first and foremost as global citizens rather than national citizens. |
In Nigeria (73%), China (71%), Peru (70%) and India (67%) the data is particularly marked. | In Nigeria (73%), China (71%), Peru (70%) and India (67%) the data is particularly marked. |
By contrast, the trend in the industrialised nations seems to be heading in the opposite direction. | By contrast, the trend in the industrialised nations seems to be heading in the opposite direction. |
In these richer nations, the concept of global citizenship appears to have taken a serious hit after the financial crash of 2008. In Germany, for example, only 30% of respondents see themselves as global citizens. | In these richer nations, the concept of global citizenship appears to have taken a serious hit after the financial crash of 2008. In Germany, for example, only 30% of respondents see themselves as global citizens. |
According to Lionel Bellier from GlobeScan, this is the lowest proportion seen in Germany since the poll began 15 years ago. | According to Lionel Bellier from GlobeScan, this is the lowest proportion seen in Germany since the poll began 15 years ago. |
"It has to be seen in the context of a very charged environment, politically and emotionally, following Angela Merkel's policy to open the doors to a million refugees last year." | "It has to be seen in the context of a very charged environment, politically and emotionally, following Angela Merkel's policy to open the doors to a million refugees last year." |
The poll suggests a degree of soul-searching in Germany about how open its doors should be in the future. | The poll suggests a degree of soul-searching in Germany about how open its doors should be in the future. |
It says 54% of German respondents approved of welcoming Syrians to their country. In the UK, where the government has resolutely capped the number of Syrian refugees, the figure was much higher at 72%. | It says 54% of German respondents approved of welcoming Syrians to their country. In the UK, where the government has resolutely capped the number of Syrian refugees, the figure was much higher at 72%. |
A significant proportion of Germans also sat on the fence when they were asked about issues to do with immigration and society. | A significant proportion of Germans also sat on the fence when they were asked about issues to do with immigration and society. |
On the question of whether intermarriage was a welcome development, for example, 46% of German respondents were not sure how to respond or they tried to qualify their answers by saying it depended what the circumstances were. | On the question of whether intermarriage was a welcome development, for example, 46% of German respondents were not sure how to respond or they tried to qualify their answers by saying it depended what the circumstances were. |
This is in stark contrast to other European countries, such as France, where people were much more emphatically in favour of marriages between people from different racial or religious backgrounds. | This is in stark contrast to other European countries, such as France, where people were much more emphatically in favour of marriages between people from different racial or religious backgrounds. |
These grey areas on the bar charts could suggest Germany is still grappling with whether it wants to welcome newcomers or not. | These grey areas on the bar charts could suggest Germany is still grappling with whether it wants to welcome newcomers or not. |
"There is a lot of uncertainty there," says Mr Bellier. | "There is a lot of uncertainty there," says Mr Bellier. |
"German respondents are showing a high level of indecisiveness when they are asked if they approve or disapprove of these developments and whether they accept the fact that their country is taking a lead on refugees." | "German respondents are showing a high level of indecisiveness when they are asked if they approve or disapprove of these developments and whether they accept the fact that their country is taking a lead on refugees." |
According to the data, there are some clear divides in attitudes within continents. | According to the data, there are some clear divides in attitudes within continents. |
In Europe, it is Russia which has the strongest resistance to intermarriage, with 43% of Russians actively disapproving of marriages between different races and ethnic groups. | In Europe, it is Russia which has the strongest resistance to intermarriage, with 43% of Russians actively disapproving of marriages between different races and ethnic groups. |
Compare that with Spain, where only 5% would be opposed to such matches. Spain also noticeably has the most respondents who see themselves as global citizens | Compare that with Spain, where only 5% would be opposed to such matches. Spain also noticeably has the most respondents who see themselves as global citizens |
Russia appears to have the strongest overall opposition to immigration. Only 11% of the Russians polled would approve of accepting refugees from Syria, for example. | Russia appears to have the strongest overall opposition to immigration. Only 11% of the Russians polled would approve of accepting refugees from Syria, for example. |
On the other hand, Spain would be the most welcoming of all the countries polled when it comes to receiving refugees from the Syrian conflict. There, an eye-catching majority - 84% - believe they should take in more of those fleeing the five-year civil war. | On the other hand, Spain would be the most welcoming of all the countries polled when it comes to receiving refugees from the Syrian conflict. There, an eye-catching majority - 84% - believe they should take in more of those fleeing the five-year civil war. |
The figures suggest there is also an interesting divide emerging in North American attitudes to refugees. Of those Canadians asked, 77% said they would approve of accepting Syrians fleeing their home country. But in the United States that figure drops to 55%. | The figures suggest there is also an interesting divide emerging in North American attitudes to refugees. Of those Canadians asked, 77% said they would approve of accepting Syrians fleeing their home country. But in the United States that figure drops to 55%. |
Indonesia has the weakest sense of national citizenship (4%). Instead, it seems Indonesians have a much stronger sense of localism, with over half of respondents seeing their immediate communities as the most important way of defining themselves. | Indonesia has the weakest sense of national citizenship (4%). Instead, it seems Indonesians have a much stronger sense of localism, with over half of respondents seeing their immediate communities as the most important way of defining themselves. |
In general, religion plays a much smaller part how people define themselves compared to nationality. The big exception to that rule is Pakistan, with 43% of Pakistanis appearing to identify themselves first and foremost by their religion - considerably higher than any other country. | In general, religion plays a much smaller part how people define themselves compared to nationality. The big exception to that rule is Pakistan, with 43% of Pakistanis appearing to identify themselves first and foremost by their religion - considerably higher than any other country. |
The polling on religion also reminds us of one of the defining differences between old-world Europe and the United States. In the US, 15% of those asked would who define themselves first and foremost by religion. In European countries that figure is only 5%. | The polling on religion also reminds us of one of the defining differences between old-world Europe and the United States. In the US, 15% of those asked would who define themselves first and foremost by religion. In European countries that figure is only 5%. |
What is 'global citizenship' anyway? | |
One problem with polling attitudes on identity is that "global citizenship" is a difficult concept to define and the poll left it open to those taking part to interpret. | |
For some, it might be about the projection of economic clout across the world. To others, it might mean an altruistic impulse to tackle the world's problems in a spirit of togetherness - whether that is climate change or inequality in the developing world. | |
Global citizenship might also be about ease of communication in an interconnected age and being able to have a voice on social media. | |
And for many, it will be about migration and mobility. We are, after all, witnessing the biggest movements of people since the World War Two. | |
This is not just driven by war and conflict. It is also because the world as a whole is becoming more prosperous and air travel is becoming more affordable to the rising middle classes. | |
As people become increasingly connected and more mobile, the BBC is exploring how identities are changing. | As people become increasingly connected and more mobile, the BBC is exploring how identities are changing. |
Listen to and download programmes from the World Service's Identity season. | Listen to and download programmes from the World Service's Identity season. |
Learn more about the BBC's Identity season or join the discussion on Twitter using the hashtag #BBCIdentity. | Learn more about the BBC's Identity season or join the discussion on Twitter using the hashtag #BBCIdentity. |
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