Polls & Research

Few Americans Satisfied with United Nations

- Fewer adults in the United States hold positive views on the United Nations (UN), according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 31 per cent of respondents have a favourable opinion of the UN, down 13 points since November 2004.

In a survey by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News, 37 per cent of respondents refer to UN policies as anti-American, while 24 per cent think they are pro-American.

The UN was established in 1945 and includes virtually every internationally recognized independent state. The organization describes itself as a "global association of governments facilitating cooperation in international law, security, economic development, and social equity."

The UN Security Council is in charge of maintaining peace and security between nations, issuing specific resolutions that governments must adhere to under the terms of the UN Charter. The internal organ currently has five permanent members—Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States—as well as 10 non-permanent members who are chosen for two-year terms.

In 1997, Kofi Annan began his first term as UN secretary-general, and was subsequently chosen to serve a second five-year period in January 2002. Annan has been involved with the UN since 1962, working for the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and as under-secretary-general for peacekeeping.

On Sept. 19, U.S. president George W. Bush delivered his speech to the UN general assembly, saying, "Five years ago, I stood at this podium and called on the community of nations to defend civilization and build a more hopeful future. This is still the great challenge of our time; it is the calling of our generation."

Bush added that the "credibility of the United Nations is at stake" in Darfur, Sudan. The African nation has been ravaged by food shortages and deadly attacks in the Darfur region, where two black African armed groups—the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM)—have fought the mainly Arab central administration and pro-government militias known as Janjaweed. The conflict has led to the deaths of at least 300,000 people, and the displacement of more than 1 million inhabitants.

Polling Data

a) Do you have a favourable or unfavourable opinion of the United Nations?

b) Overall, do you believe the policies of the United Nations are pro-American or anti-American?