More than half of the global public supports international cooperation even when it means compromising their country's national interest, according to a new survey conducted for a book by former UK prime minister Gordon Brown. The findings come as fears of a third world war rise to levels not seen since the 1960s Cuban missile crisis.
Survey reveals global demand for cooperation
The survey, covering more than 36,000 people in 34 countries, was conducted by Focaldata on behalf of the Rockefeller Foundation, for which Brown serves as a trustee. When asked whether they would support international cooperation even if it meant some compromise of their country's national interest, 55% said yes, while only 20% said no.
Clear majorities on every continent oppose populist nationalist leaders who view geopolitics as a zero-sum game, the survey found. More than 70% of the global public want their governments to uphold human rights and the rule of law, take action on climate change, AI and cyber security, and fund humanitarian aid.
Community action boosts cooperation support
Follow-up research shows that 80% worldwide believe there should be a global system to ensure policies that engender peace and stability while promoting dignity, requiring action against poverty, disease, hunger and illiteracy. People active in their own communities with connections across ethnic and religious divides are 50% more likely to support international cooperation, even when it involves some sacrifice of national interest.
Brown argues that to rebuild support for cooperation across borders, we should start by rebuilding communities at home.
Shifting global leadership
The survey indicates that the US, China and Russia are more unloved than ever as potential leaders. Instead, the global public looks to Canada, Australia, Italy, Japan, the UK, France, Brazil and South Korea, in that order, as potential unifying forces. These countries' own people are the most eager to cooperate and take on a leadership role, advocated by Canadian prime minister Mark Carney and Finnish president Alexander Stubb.
Countries other than Russia, China and the US and their satellites control 75% of the votes at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and have huge majorities at the World Trade Organization and the World Health Organization, as well as 12 of the 15 votes on the UN security council.
Brown urges like-minded countries to agree a programme of action for 2027 with the new UN secretary-general, who begins work in the new year. He notes that the US public also prefers cross-border cooperation to going it alone, and can be convinced that the US should stop acting unilaterally in a multipolar world.
