Understanding Society December 2012

This issue of Understanding Society brings together experts from across the Ipsos Social Research Institute to consider the period of extraordinary change many nations have witnessed over the last few years, since the 2007/8 global economic crisis.

The economy is an area where public opinion and confidence plays a vital role. Our new international polling data, released in this publication, indicates a division in attitudes, as populations outside Europe begin to focus on other concerns, whilst Europe mostly remains focused on economic uncertainty and unemployment.

These concerns on the economy, austerity, immigration and the changing global balance of power have all been themes at the ballot box this year. We present analysis of three elections on three continents - in the USA, France and Venezuela – reflecting the global diversity of Ipsos’ election polling.

Recent years have also seen governments around the world wake-up to more subtle ways of affecting societal change by applying lessons from behavioural economics. We are therefore delighted to have an interview with Dr David Halpern, Director of the Behavioural Insights Team in the UK Prime Minister’s Office. Dr Halpern discusses how the unit looks internationally for best practice and is increasingly working with governments and other bodies around the world.

This edition also includes analysis of:

• attitudes towards immigration and border controls in Europe and particularly the Schengen area;
• the global public’s view on foreign aid spending;
• how programme evaluation in an Indian state is helping to drive progress towards the Millennium Development Goals; and
• how children in Europe use the internet, and the importance of distinguishing between risk and harm.

Ipsos remains committed to sharing the messages from our research, in the belief that a better understanding of public opinion and behaviour will lead to better policy. If you would like to discuss any of the issues in this edition, then please get in touch.