"Democracy may have its problems, but it is better than any other form of government." 78% of Afghans agree.
Sometimes, the numbers, even if unreported do matter. The MSM has fomented a perception that Karzai is illegitimate and the Afghan Government untrusted by its people. With the news that his opponent in the runoff election has withdrawn one week before it, there will be a lot of pundits saying a lot of things. It's sure to be quite the show listening to prophecies I can only imagine.
Recently, the Asia Foundation published their poll of Afghans and their outlook on politics, government, & the direction of their Nation. Their pollsters took great risks to travel to every province to get the most accurate picture possible. Conversely, Real Clear Politics maintains a database of polls on US sentiments about all things politics. Let's Compare a few of the numbers:
- Direction of Country:
-
- US: 38.8% Right Direction, 55.5% Wrong Track (Trend: Wrong Track)
- Afghanistan: 42% Right Direction, (21% Mixed), 29% Wrong Direction (Trend: Growing Positive)
- Congressional/Parliament Approval Rating:
-
- US: 24.8% Approve, 66.4% Disapprove (declining)
- Afghanistan:68% Approve, 30% Disapprove (improving)
- Contacted their National Representative:
-
- US: ?
- Afghanistan: 12%
- Presidential Approval Rating:
-
- US: 52% Approve, 43.4% Disapprove
- Afghanistan: ?
- Safe to Vote: 57% Afghanistan
- Safe to Run for Office: 31% Afghanistan
- Safer next year: 75% Afghanistan
- Satisfied with Democracy in Afghanistan: 68%
- More or As Prosperous than under Taliban: 68% (lowest in Taliban strongholds)
- More or As Prosperous than under Soviets: 60%
- Most Important Failing of Government: 31% Security, 29% Corruption
- Confidence in Governmental Ministers: Afghanistan: 53%
- Confidence in Government: Afghanistan: 57%
- Confidence in State/Provincial Government: Afghanistan: 62% Confident
- Confidence in Local Government: Afghanistan: 68%
- Confidence in Media/MSM:
-
- US: ? (low)
- Afghanistan: 70% Confident
- Confidence in Military: Afghanistan: 91% (69% believe ANA need ISAF help)
- Confidence in Local Militias: Afghanistan: 37%
- Confidence in Police: Afghanistan: 84% (83% say ANP is fair and honest)
- Confidence in Independent Election Commission: Afghanistan: 67%
- Victims of Crime (Minor Theft or Violent): 17% Afghanistan
- Largest Foreign Aid Program in their area: 41% US (Afghan Poll), 2nd: 8% Germany
- What Democracy will Bring Afghans: 50% Freedom, 41% Peace
- Individual Influence in government: 66% some to a lot, 17%: a little
- Voting influences future of government: 70%
- Things won't change regardless of vote: 22%
- Voter Registration: 77%
- Reasons for failure of Free Speech: "Fear for their Safety" 34%
- Afghan Men's Perception of #1 Issue facing Women: 50% Education/Illiteracy
- Primary Source of Information: 47% Radio, 25% TV, 18% Friends & Family, 2% Mullah
- Sources of Information: 24% Newspapers, 22% Magazine, Text Msg: 19%, Community Meetings: 53%, Sermons: 47%
- Education: 60% had never been to school, 12% were HS graduates.
- Employment: 44% were farmers, 10% were skilled labor
80% Agree with the following statement: "Everyone should have equal rights under the law, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, or religion." (Only 59% in Southwest Afghanistan where Taliban hold sway.)
85% Agree: "Women should have equal opportunity to education as men" (73% in Taliban areas.)
83% Agree: "Women should be allowed to vote." (61% in Taliban areas)
67% Agree: "Women should be allowed to work outside the home." (49% in Taliban areas.)
71% Agree with: "Religious authorities should lead people in obeying the obligations of their faith while political leaders should make decisions about how the government is run."
Survey included representive distribution across all provinces by population density with a 95% confidence. It was conducted in person between June & July of 2009 of 6,406 Afghans by 648 trained interviewers (300 women). Survey by Asia Foundation. US Poll numbers Real Clear Politics.
Sorta makes you wonder why our POTUS has taken such an anti-Karzai position, huh?
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