America is even divided about its worst NIGHTMARES: Democrats think extreme weather is the biggest threat to the US, Republicans say China and independents are worried about cyber attacks

A global poll of attitudes to geopolitical risks highlights the deep divides in American society, with Democrats saying extreme weather and forest fires are the biggest threat to the nation, while Republicans say it is China or Iran, and Independents cite the danger of cyber attacks.

The huge survey of 12,000 people was conducted for the Munich Security Conference, the annual gathering of security officials.

And exclusive analysis of the data for DailyMail.com reveals that Americans uniquely among the 11 countries surveyed cannot even agree on what gives them nightmares. 

So for Democrats it is extreme weather, then climate change in general and then the destruction of natural habitats.

Data from a survey of risk perception conducted for the Munich Security Conference reveal deep divides in the US over what keeps people awake at night

So while Democrats see the danger of extreme weather and forest fires as most worrying,

So while Democrats see the danger of extreme weather and forest fires as most worrying, 

In contrast Republicans rank the growing threat from China as the number one worry, then Iran and then the danger of an economic crisis.

And for Independents, the top concern—from a ranking that includes scores for severity, imminence, trajectory, and their country’s preparedness—is cyber attacks, followed by political polarization, and Russia.

The data are contained in the 2024 Munich Security Index, published by Kekst CNC, a global strategic communications consultancy.

‘In most countries we asked the questions in, views were mostly aligned on what the major risks facing their population were,’ said James Johnson, co-founder of J.L. Partners, which carried out the survey.

‘America is the exception. When it comes to perceptions of risk, it is three countries: Republicans, Democrats, and everyone in between.’

It illustrates the difficulty Republican and Democratic candidates face in an election year, when their focus can alienate the swing voters they need to win over.

The surveyed polled 12,000 people in G7 nations, as well as Brazil, India, China, and South Africa (the BRICS nations, without Russia), plus a limited survey in Ukraine.

It is conducted every year to rank risks and to set the agenda for the Munich Security Conference, which was held at the weekend, bringing together the world’s most senior national security experts.

It asked respondents to rank 32 potential threats.

Meanwhile, Independents saw cyber attacks and political polarization as most worrying

Meanwhile, Independents saw cyber attacks and political polarization as most worrying

Former President Donald Trump

President Joe Biden

The results show the challenges facing Donald Trump and Joe Biden in the 2024 election, as they compete for a highly polarized electorate

Blazes scorched 42.7 million acres of land in Canada due to out of control fires across Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Nova Scotia last year

Blazes scorched 42.7 million acres of land in Canada due to out of control fires across Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Nova Scotia last year

The result was the nation's smokiest summer. Fire-related air pollution nearly doubled in the United States in 2023 following the worst wildfires in Canadian history

The result was the nation’s smokiest summer. Fire-related air pollution nearly doubled in the United States in 2023 following the worst wildfires in Canadian history

A general view of smoke rising from the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant on February 15, 2023 in Avdiivka district, Ukraine. The survey found that Russia is considered less of a threat this year compared with previous surveys for the Munich Security Conference

A general view of smoke rising from the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant on February 15, 2023 in Avdiivka district, Ukraine. The survey found that Russia is considered less of a threat this year compared with previous surveys for the Munich Security Conference

And the findings revealed that China and Russia are considered less of a threat now than a year ago, while concerns have shifted to less traditional issues such as radical Islam and mass migration.

Respondents all around the world showed rising concern about environmental threats and about mass migration as a result of war or climate change.

However, the U.S. remains something of an outlier on the environment, powered by Republican skepticism. Although environmental issues were a top-three worry for all 10 other nations, they barely made the U.S. top ten.

Overall, Americans cited cyber-attacks as their top worry, followed by political polarization and China.  

The results also showed a disconnect between Western nations, where respondents were generally pessimistic about wealth and security during the next 10 years, and the emerging economies, where people said they believed they would become better off in the next decade.

 

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