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Debatable -- Should the U.S. work to spread democracy around the world?
By Associated Press
NEW YORK - Americans question the ability of the United States to create democracy in other countries, and are divided on whether successful efforts could even make the U.S. safer, according to a poll released today.
Only 36 percent of those surveyed by the Public Agenda Confidence in U.S. Foreign Policy Index believe the U.S. can help spread democracy - a major objective for the Bush administration in Iraq and throughout the Middle East.
Should the U.S. work to spread democracy around the world?
"People do regard it as a desirable goal," Public Agenda Chairman Daniel Yankelovich said. "But from a common sense point of view, both Democrats and Republicans have concluded that democracy is something that countries come to on their own."
A slight majority, 53 percent, said there would be less global conflict as more countries adopt democratic systems, but 73 percent worry that U.S. actions in the Middle East are indirectly aiding the recruitment of
terrorists.
The biannual poll, which last came out in August, found public confidence has declined overall in Washington's ability to achieve goals including capturing terrorists, protecting U.S. borders and meeting objectives in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Iraq war remains the top concern, with 22 percent naming it America's largest global problem, followed by terrorism at 13 percent.
But poll directors noted Americans are also alarmed increasingly by U.S. energy dependence. Ninety percent in the survey - conducted in January, before President Bush's declaration in his State of the Union address that the country is "addicted to oil" - said it was important to find alternatives to foreign energy supplies to strengthen national security.
On other fronts, the poll indicated a preference for activism. Seventy-one percent said it was very important to help countries deal with natural disasters such as the Indian Ocean tsunami. Other priorities were cooperating with countries on problems like the environment or disease control (70 percent) and improving the treatment of women in other countries (57 percent).
The survey of 1,000 adults was conducted Jan. 10-22 and had a margin of error of 4 percentage points.
On the Net: Public Agenda:
http://www.publicagenda.org
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