The world now apparently sees the US slightly more positively, according to the BBC World Service Survey. The average percentage of people saying that the US has a positive influence has risen to 35% from 31% a year ago. Those saying the US has a negative influence fell five percentage points to 47%.

The reason? Probably the upcoming presidential election. I would think the recession probably also helps. People generally like people better when they can pity them or express schadenfreude (taking pleasure in another person's misfortune.) Or wait, maybe this is just how things work in Central Europe.

Don't get too excited though. Views of US influence in the world are still mainly negative, though they improved in 11 out of the 23 countries also polled a year ago. Perceptions of the US worsened in three countries - Canada, Lebanon and Egypt.

Umm, Canada?

Filed under: North America, Canada, United States