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Germany Triumphant In Global Love-Fest; Russia, China Not So Much

The results of the latest GlobeScan/BBC World Service global likability poll are in, and they show that once again, Germany is the most liked country in the world. A majority of participants in every country reported positive feelings for Germany, giving it a lofty 61-percent favorable rating, up six points from the previous year. Britain proved popular as well, at 58 percent, a marked improvement from years past. Even the United States, which is either loved or hated but never ignored, moved up a few ticks, possibly in response to the election of Barack Obama.

Which countries are sliding down the slippery slope of likability? Well, despite its bang-up job with the Olympics, China didn't do too well, with 39 percent of people agreeing that it had a negative influence on world affairs. And Russia dipped below the U.S. in positive ratings for the first time, with people increasingly shunning it as it behaves "like the old Soviet Union," according to GlobeScan Chairman Doug Miller.

The bottom spots are occupied by long-time misanthropes Iran, Israel, Pakistan, and North Korea. It's worth pointing out that it's really the governments of these countries that respondents are critical of, rather than the people. If only we could all travel the world like Luca Marchio, we'd be able to see the good in every country.

[Photo: moonbattery.com]

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