‘US is bigger threat than terror’

BBC News, 9 April 2004

Globalisation and the US pose a more serious threat to the world than war and terrorism, according to a BBC poll.

Corruption came second on a list of the biggest problems facing the world, the survey of BBC viewers worldwide found.

Conflicts—war and terrorism—ranked third, with 50%, followed by hunger, 49%, and climate change with 44%.

BBC World asked 1,500 viewers of its news and international channel for the biggest problems in the world with 52% saying the US and globalisation.

We were a little surprised that global superpowers and corruption were ranked top but we will track whether they are gaining from topical interest or are of greater long-term significance

Respondents from Europe, Asia, North and South America, the Middle East, Africa and Australasia, ranked the power of the US and large corporations as the biggest worry (52.3%).

BBC World's head of research and planning Jeremy Nye said: “We were a little surprised that global superpowers and corruption were ranked top but we will track whether they are gaining from topical interest or are of greater long-term significance.”

Wars and terrorism were ranked as the top concerns in Europe and the Middle East despite ranking third overall.

Illiteracy was ranked sixth overall with 38% followed by nuclear proliferation, also 38%, and the persecution of minorities with 36%.

Lack of drinking water and basic sanitation was ranked 12th, with 20%, while 16% rated migration as the most important problem.