Posted on 04/02/2006 5:43:00 PM PDT by freedom44
A GlobeScan poll of 20 countries around the world conducted between June and August 2005 showed that the French public is unusually skeptical about the free enterprise economic system. A majority or plurality of all of the other 19 countries polled agreed with the statement “The free enterprise system and free market economy is the best system on which to base the future of the world.” France alone had a minority, 36 percent, agreeing with the statement, while 50 percent disagreed.
Ironically China had the largest majority, with 74 percent agreeing. Turkey (47%), Russia (43%) and Argentina (42%) each had just a plurality agreeing.
The same poll found that the French are unusually high in their mistrust of large companies. Fifty-five percent said they did not trust large French companies to operate in the best interest of society (compared to an average of 47 percent among the 20 countries polled), and 61 percent said they did not trust global companies operating in their country (compares to a global average of 52 percent). Eighty-six percent also said that large companies have too much influence over their national government (compared to 73 percent globally).
Perhaps most significant, an overwhelming 79 percent favored more government regulation of large companies to protect the rights of workers. The global average was 74 percent.
Economic Pessimism
A BBC poll of 32 nation conducted by GlobeScan and PIPA between October and December 2005 also found that the French were among the most pessimistic countries about the direction of the economy in terms of themselves, their country and the world. France had the second-highest percentage believing economic conditions were getting worse in their country (83%), after Zimbabwe (90%); the Philippines tied with France (83%). The French were also negative when asked whether their personal economic conditions were getting better or worse. France was one of only six of the 32 nations in which a majority said their personal economic conditions were getting worse—52% in France said this.
Even their perception of the world economy were far more pessimistic than average. Seventy percent saw economic conditions in the world as getting worse (compared to a global average of 37 percent). Only one other country had such a large majority.
We are the greatest, and will stay that way. France is obsolete, and we are now into another AMERICAN CENTURY.
Glad to see Nigeria supports free enterprise. I was a fraid the government might nationalize their primary industry.
" Fifty-five percent said they did not trust large French companies to operate in the best interest of society"
As if that was the reason for their existence.
The economic ignorance is appalling.
What they fail to realize is that PROFITABLE companies are automatically good for society.
I am reminded of Condolezza Rice's famous assessment of the proper way to deal with the French weasels when they stabbed the US in the back at the time when a united front against Saddam Hussein would have been in the world's enlightened interest: "Punish France". Well, it worked, didn't it?
Like corporate agriculture, meat packing businesses, and the likes of Walmarts that hire illegal immigrants? Whose society? High Society perhaps.
It's no surprise. That is why their economic system does not work.
"Non, merci, we frog monkies will just wait around to surrender for the next hand-out ... "
funny to note in the poll, of the countries that fall below 50%, the no votes dont come anywhere near 50%.
How French of them.
How do you say IRRELEVANT in French?
Oh, nevermind. Why should I take the time to learn some ancient, long forgotten gibberish?
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
France is dead.
Why would France be for a free market system? As far as I know they've never tried it. And all the euro snobs are too arrogant to try anything "new".
I can't believe the US is behind China and the Phillipines in this poll! America should be at 100%.
Nope, see post 7. Still plenty of economic illiterates here.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
You must be a french troll!
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