Benefits of globalization questioned

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Most people in 22 of 34 developed and developing countries surveyed think globalization is spreading too quickly, according to a BBC World Service poll released yesterday.

This was one of a number of conclusions of the study reflecting widespread doubts in the countries polled about the benefits of globalization.

An average of 57 percent of those surveyed living in Group of Seven industrialized countries said globalization is spreading too quickly, according to the poll.

In addition, 64 percent of those surveyed in 27 of the 34 countries think that the benefits and burdens of recent economic developments have not been shared fairly.

According to the survey, majorities see globalization as a positive local economic influence in 10 countries, including China, where 84 percent of respondents saw globalization bringing economic improvement; Canada, with 72 percent; Australia, with 71 percent; the United Arab Emirates, with 69 percent; and Russia, with 63 percent.

However, most respondents blamed globalization for worsening economic conditions in 21 countries, including Italy with 86 percent; the Philippines and Indonesia, each with 76 percent; the United States, with 74 percent; and Portugal with 72 percent.

Moreover, most respondents in a majority of the countries surveyed characterized the distribution of globalization's benefits and burdens as unfair, including 86 percent in South Korea, 84 percent in Italy and Portugal, 83 percent in Japan, and 82 percent in Chile, Lebanon and Turkey.

Majorities of those polled thought benefits and burdens had been distributed fairly in six countries, including 72 percent in the United Arab Emirates; 58 percent in Australia, Canada and China; and 53 percent in Nigeria and Ghana.

"The most striking result of the survey is how widespread the view is that economies are developing in ways that are unfair," said Steven Kull, director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes, which conducted the study along with polling firm GlobeScan for the BBC.

Mr. Kull said other polls offer contrasting conclusions.

Other surveys, he said, "show that for the most part people think that globalization is overall a good thing."

GLOBAL FAIRNESS

About 34,500 adults in 34 countries were asked whether globalization distributes economic benefits and burdens fairly among countries. Their replies:

Very fairly: 5 percent

Somewhat fairly: 24 percent

Not very fairly: 36 percent

Not at all fairly: 28 percent

Don't know/No answer: 7 percent

Source: BBC World Service