The results of a European Pew Research opinion survey among 8 nations reminded me of a dysfunctional family. As you look at the tables below from the Pew Report, you might think of Germany as the successful sibling, Greece as the “black sheep,” and the growing dissatisfaction with how the family makes a living.
1. Stereotyping in Europe
Who Works Hardest, Who’s Corrupt
| Views in: | Most Hardworking | Least Hardworking | Most Corrupt | Least Corrupt |
| Britain | Germany | Greece | Italy | Germany |
| France | Germany | Italy | Italy | Germany |
| Germany | Germany | Greece | Italy | Germany |
| Spain | Germany | Greece | Spain/Italy | Germany |
| Italy | Germany | Romania | Italy | Germany |
| Greece | Greece | Italy | Greece | Germany |
| Poland | Germany | Greece | Poland | Germany |
| Czech Rep. | Germany | Greece | Czech Rep. | Germany |
From Pew Research Center
2. Asked about whether they viewed Germany favorably, France, the Czech Republic, Poland, Spain, Britain and Italy resoundingly said yes. However, 78% of the Greeks who were surveyed said no. (p. 36)
3. Support For Free Market Declining
% Completely/mostly agree
| 2007 | 2010 | 2012 | 2010-2012 Change | |
| % | % | % | ||
| Britain | 72 | 64 | 61 | -3 |
| France | 56 | 67 | 58 | -9 |
| Germany | 65 | 73 | 69 | -4 |
| Spain | 67 | 62 | 47 | -15 |
| Italy | 73 | — | 50 | — |
| Greece | — | — | 44 | — |
| Poland | 68 | 68 | 53 | -15 |
| Czech Rep. | 59 | — | 50 | — |
From Pew Research Center
To see Pew’s conclusions and additional tables that are fascinating, here is the entire report, “European Unity on the Rocks.” A second report, reflected by the following table, highlights the differences between US and European values. Please note that tables were directly copied from Pew.
