MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Beware politicians of people's disbelief

Six out of ten people in the world have a mostly negative opinion of world leaders, particularly politicians according to the “Voice of the People” poll undertaken by the World Economic Forum and Gallup International.

A majority of interviews feel that political leaders are dishonest, have too much power and are easily influenced by people more powerful than them. This is specially true for Latinamerica where 87% believe that politicians are plainly dishonest. The region is closely followed by Western Asia (India and China) with 84% and Africa, while in Europe and the United States the number drops to 50%.

Countries with the highest negative attitude towards politicians are Ecuador 96%; Poland 90%; Nigeria 92%; Bolivia 91%; Mexico 93%; Peru (91%); India (91%), and in the other extreme Singapore 3%; Nederland 12% and Malaysia 12%.

Professor Klaus Schwab from World Economic Forum said the "conclusions of this extensive world poll are a strong message for global leaders. All around the world, people are hoping for and demanding far more from their leaders than they receive".

"People want leaders capable of brave, long term decisions, which benefit all inhabitants of the world".

According to the poll and report, people have a better opinion of business leaders all over the world, although 22% still believe many of them "are not capable or competent" for their jobs. Another criticism is that they respond to pressures from more powerful people and that in many cases "they have too much power and responsibilities".

Albania, Costa Rica and Germany are the countries were businessmen are most objected for their non ethical attitudes, 69%, compared to a world average of 39%.

Regarding security and prosperity, 45% believe that future generations will face a less secure world, with Western Europe (55%) leading, followed by Latinamerica 44% and Africa 30%. However, individually Egypt is the most pessimistic country, 71%.

World's under 30 year olds are the most optimistic, 28%, with the over fifty only reaching 22%.

As to prosperity, 33% believe in a more economically prosperous future world, with 36% believing in a less prosperous world. The poll also shows that prosperity and security are closely linked with Western Europe and Middle East believing in almost parallel future worsening economic and security conditions, (49%).

The poll which represents 1,2 billion people was undertaken last June/August, interviewing 50.000 people in sixty different countries.