Britain Turning Against Globalisation

British people are suspicious of globalisation - and sympathetic towards the anti-globalisation protesters of Seattle and Genoa - according to surprise new research findings.

A new MORI survey, commissioned to coincide with the publication of Anita Roddick's new globalisation book Take it Personally, shows that the majority of British people are not convinced about the benefits of globalisation.

The research will come as a shock to Blair and business commentators who have led the assault on the protesters. It also looks set to confirm a growing sense that unrestricted global business is damaging what Britons care about the most - the well-being of their families and communities.

Even three in five Conservative voters reject the accusation that anti-globalisation protesters are simply thugs and anarchists.

The research also found that:

The public do not think globalisation is a force for good

• Only one in eight people bought the official view that globalisation enhances everyone's quality of life (13%).
• As many as 92% believe that multinational companies should meet the highest human health, animal welfare and environment standards wherever they are operating.
• 58% of the public think that 'what's good for business is not good for most people in developing, poorer countries' - and as many as 71% of broadsheet readers reject the idea that global business is good for most people in developing, poorer countries
• As many as 38% of people believe globalisation actually damages the environment

The public think the government should stand up to multinationals

• Between 87% and 92% of people think that the government should protect the environment, employment conditions and health - even when it conflicts with the interests of multinationals

The media are not reflecting mainstream views on globalisation

From a list of six positive and negative statements about the anti-globalisation protestors the two statements which prompted the strongest agreement were that:

• The protestors were raising genuine concerns and issues shared by many people around the world. (41% agreed)
• The media focus on a small number of troublemakers, ignoring the peaceful majority of protestors (38% agreed)

MORI Chairman Professor Sir Robert Worcester described the survey as "a timely indicator of people's underlying distrust of big companies when it comes to acting in the public interest. The fact that four in ten (41%) of the British public (representing around 18.5 million people) believe the anti-globalisation protestors have a point should prompt a serious rethinking of the globalisation debate."

Anita Roddick, OBE, said: "People aren't stupid. This survey shows that ordinary people are well aware of the negative impacts of globalisation - for themselves, for poor countries, for the environment. The public is taking global issues personally; the government and big business would be advised to listen to them."

This survey was commissioned by Anita Roddick, alongside Thorsons Publishers and communications agency The Forster Company.

Technical details

• Anita Roddick is Founder and Co-Chair of The Body Shop International plc. Thorsons is a division of Harper Collins. The Forster Company is a public interest communications company specialising in environmental and social issues
• The MORI survey was carried out between 20-25th September, 2001 among a representative sample of 2,013 members of the British public aged 15+. Data were weighted to reflect the national profile.
• Take it Personally: How Globalization affects you and powerful ways to challenge it will be available from Monday 15th October from all good bookshops. In the book outspoken business leader Anita Roddick brings together voices of some of the most prominent authorities on the phenomenon of globalisation, including Susan George, David Korten and Naomi Klein. Full of hard hitting images, this full colour book gets right to the heart of the issue, exploding the myths that would have us believe globalisation is a force for good. Covering aspects of the subject as diverse as human rights, the environment, international finance, health, the food we eat and trade, the book combines medium length articles with quotes, case notes and letters to CEOs of prominent companies. This book constitutes a call to action, showing how everyone can take on the corporate giants and make a real difference.