| Summary: | This annual survey, fielded August to October 1999, was conducted in over 50 countries to solicit public opinion on social and political issues. Respondents were asked to give their opinion on the environment. Questions included the overall state that the environment is in, if the government has done too much, too little, or just the right amount concerning the environment, and the biggest threat to the environment for future generations. They were also queried on whether they thought their countries elections were free and fair, and what words best describe their perception of the government. Questions concerning religion were also asked. These focused on whether there is only one true religion, many true religions, or no essential truth in any religion, how important God is in their life, and praying and meditation. Respondents were asked to give their opinion on women's rights. Questions included whether they thought women have equal rights in their country, whether they thought education is more important for boys or girls, whether women need to have children in order to feel fulfilled, and whether women in advanced countries must insist more for the rights of women in the developing world. They were also asked to give their opinion on the issue of crime. They were asked how concerned they were about the level of crime in their country, if crime had increased or decreased in the last five years, how well the government was handling crime, and if they were for or against the death penalty. They were also asked what they thought matters most in life, and what they thought about the United Nations. Questions pertaining to human rights were also asked, such as whether discrimination based on sex, color, language, religion, or political opinion was taking place in their country. They were also asked if they thought that the use of torture was being documented, how effective stricter international laws would be in reducing torture, how effective more prosecutions of those suspected of torture would be in eliminating it, how effective greater public awareness of the incidence of torture would be in helping eliminate it, and how effective a grassroots campaign to eliminate torture would be. Respondents were also queried on the year 2000 computer problem. Demographics include sex, age, education, occupation, marital status, children under 15 living in household, religious denomination, religiosity, and region.
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