Around the world, people are rejecting divisive and dangerous politics. We can – and must – build on that | Gordon Brown
A survey of 36,000+ people across 34 countries reveals 55% support international cooperation even at the cost of some national interest, while only 20% oppose it Over 70% of the global public want governments to act on human rights, rule of law, climate crisis, AI, cyber security, and humanitarian aid Community-active individuals with cross-cultural connections are 50% more likely to support international cooperation, suggesting local community rebuilding as a pathway to global solidarity The gl
Analysis
TL;DR
- A survey of 36,000+ people across 34 countries reveals 55% support international cooperation even at the cost of some national interest, while only 20% oppose it
- Over 70% of the global public want governments to act on human rights, rule of law, climate crisis, AI, cyber security, and humanitarian aid
- Community-active individuals with cross-cultural connections are 50% more likely to support international cooperation, suggesting local community rebuilding as a pathway to global solidarity
- The global public looks to mid-sized powers (Canada, Australia, Japan, UK, France, Brazil, South Korea) rather than the US, China, or Russia as potential unifying leaders
- A multipolar shift is underway, with non-polar powers controlling 75% of IMF/World Bank votes and majorities at the WTO and WHO
Why It Matters
This article highlights a significant global sentiment shift toward multilateralism and cooperative governance, particularly relevant as AI and cyber security emerge as priority areas for international coordination. For AI practitioners and policymakers, the finding that 70%+ of the global public wants government action on AI regulation underscores growing demand for cooperative frameworks that could shape future policy landscapes.
Technical Details
- Survey methodology: Focaldata conducted the poll on behalf of the Rockefeller Foundation, covering 36,000+ respondents across 34 countries
- Key metric: 55% affirmative response to supporting international cooperation even when it requires compromising national interest
- Demographic insight: Community-engaged individuals with cross-ethnic and cross-religious ties show 50% higher likelihood of supporting international cooperation
- Institutional landscape: Non-polar nations hold 75% of voting power at the IMF and World Bank, majorities at the WTO and WHO, and 12 of 15 votes (plus 2 of 5 vetoes) on the UN Security Council
- Priority areas identified: human rights, rule of law, climate action, AI governance, cyber security, and humanitarian aid funding
Industry Insight
- AI governance frameworks will likely face increasing public pressure for international cooperation; practitioners should anticipate and engage with multilateral regulatory efforts rather than operating in isolation
- The rise of mid-tier powers as potential leadership figures suggests that AI policy coalitions may form outside traditional US-China dynamics, creating opportunities for countries like Canada, Japan, and the UK to shape standards
- Community-level engagement is a proven lever for building pro-cooperation sentiment; AI organizations investing in local community building and cross-cultural dialogue may find stronger public support for their international initiatives
Disclaimer: The above content is generated by AI and is for reference only.