Politics

Welcome to the first Ipsos Update of 2017 - our monthly selection of research and thinking from Ipsos’ teams around the world.

After an eventful first week, Donald Trump continues to divide and energise the American public. Public opinion about him remains split with about equal numbers approving and disapproving of his job. However, looking deeper we see nearly unified blocks of Republicans in support and Democrats in opposition.

New data from Ipsos Global @dvisor shows that many across 23 countries around the world think that their society is broken, while feeling a lack of confidence in establishment institutions - especially political parties, governments and the media.

"Less than a week into his new job, fewer than half of Americans approve of President Donald Trump’s job performance,” described Chris Jackson of Ipsos. “His smart money would be to stay focused on the economy and jobs, where a majority of Americans think he’s doing a good job. Wading into the ACA fight puts Trump on less positive footing with public sentiment he might want to avoid."

The data indicates a shifting in eras for the American position in the world. The Obama administration was seen by many in global community as a president looking outward from our borders; while President Trump won the election by looking inwards and reinforcing the borders. Though it is clear that the public thinks this era might be short lived, with 1/3 believing Trump will be impeached in 2017.

The economy remains top of mind for most Americans, with nearly a fifth (19%) of all American reporting the economy as their biggest concern.

Some say the best way to predict the future is to create the future. In this month’s Thought Starter sourced by Ipsos’ eNation Omnibus, we fast forward 13 years to examine ways our lives may differ in the year 2030.

Many around the world believe their country is in decline and the system is rigged against them.

With less than two years to the next election, the Presidential contest is shaping up as a clear two-horse race between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Cord leader Raila Odinga.