Mark Jones
The rise of populism, nationalism and protectionism are all associated with waning support for globalization, but a new poll for the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2019 shows high levels of support worldwide for international collaboration, immigration, and the personal benefits from globalization.
The survey, conducted in January by polling firm Qualtrics, was taken by more than 10,000 people in 29 countries who answered questions about globalization 4.0, including the impact of technology, the future of work, education, and social mobility. These are the main findings:
1. Countries should help one another
Concerns about the rise of nationalism and isolationism dominate the global political agenda. But the survey suggests there’s a bedrock of support for international collaboration with majorities in every region agreeing that countries should help one another. That sentiment is particularly strong in South and East Asia and in sub-Saharan Africa.
Question: Generally speaking, do you think your country has a responsibility to help other countries in the world?
Image: Qualtrics
2. Immigration is a net positive
Immigration is an emotive subject in many countries. But majorities view migration as positive in all regions except Europe. Support is particularly strong in South Asia and North America.
Question: Would you say that new immigrants are mostly good or mostly bad for your country?
Image: Qualtrics
Image: Qualtrics
3. We're all in it together
Respondents were asked whether other countries should be considered competitors or collaborative partners when it comes to development. There were overwhelming majorities for the collaborative view with Latin America, South Asia and North America notably strong.
Generally speaking, do you think that all countries can improve at the same time or that if some countries improve others must become worse off?
Image: Qualtrics
4. International cooperation is beneficial to me
Taking the idea of global cooperation a step further, respondents were asked whether things improved for them as individuals when their leaders collaborated with those of other countries. Big majorities everywhere think collaborative leadership leads to better personal outcomes.
Question: Generally speaking, when leaders from different countries work together is it good or bad for people like you?
Image: Qualtrics
5. Ambivalence over whether technology is changing lives for the better
Technical change is driving much of the disruption affecting citizens around the world. When asked whether new technology was a force for good, those who agreed far outnumbered those who disagreed. But the most popular response in all regions was one of ambivalence.
Question: Would you say that technology does more harm or good in society?
Image: Qualtrics
6. Workers aren’t expecting the robots to take over any time soon
Much of the debate around Globalization 4.0 centres on the accelerating change new technology will bring to the workplace. But workers outside South Asia aren’t expecting to be replaced by the bots any time soon.
Question: Supposing that you are still working, how likely are you to be doing the same kind of work in 5 years that you are doing today?
Image: Qualtrics
Question: About how much of what you do in your job do you think could be done today by a machine or robot?
7. Governments need to pay more attention to education
In all regions, citizens think their education systems are leaving too many behind in the Globalization 4.0 challenge in all regions.
Question: How many people in your country have access to a good education?
Image: Qualtrics
8. We've got a problem with social mobility
Outside South Asia, there are concerns about social mobility - defined as the likelihood that someone born poor might become rich. Such concerns are particularly acute in Europe and Latin America.
Question: Thinking about your country, how common is it for someone to start poor, work hard, and become rich?
Image: Qualtrics
In general, social mobility is perceived to be more of a concern in the developed world.
9. Governments need to do more to create opportunities for all
The benefits of globalization won't spread to everyone unless the right government policies are in force. Here the clear message from the survey is that more action is required.
Question: When it comes to laws and regulations to make sure that opportunities are available to all groups of people, would you say the government of your country is doing too much, too little, or just enough?
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