Democracy rules! - SA's people
16 September 2005
South Africa has come out tops in a global survey of perceptions of power. While 65% of the world's citizens say their country is not run by the will of the people, a new BBC/Gallup poll reveals that 59% of South Africans believe they are ruled according to their wishes - the highest score of the 68 countries surveyed.
The poll, called "Who Runs Your World?" and conducted by the BBC World Survey and Gallup International, surveyed more than 50 000 people worldwide, representing the views of 1.3-billion global citizens.
After South Africa, the people of Scandinavia expressed the second-highest level of faith in their rulers.
In Russia, 75% of the population feel their government is not run according to the will of the people, followed by 60% of Americans and Canadians.
The poll also found that 76% of South Africans believe their elections are free and fair, compared to 55% of Americans and Canadians. Confidence in elections was also found in 82% of Europeans, but in only 24% of West Africans.
Globally, only 47% of the world's citizens believe their elections are free and fair. Only 13% trusted politicians and only 16% thought they should be given more power.
About a third of those surveyed thought more power should go to writers and academics. A quarter felt more should go to religious leaders, who are also seen as the most trusted group.
In terms of identity, most Africans felt defined by their religion, while the majority of South Africans defined their identity by nationality.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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