By a margin of 46-42, Americans say that the rich are rich mainly because they know the right people or are born into wealth rather than because of hard work, ambition or education.

Majorities in 18 of 24 countries describe current economic conditions in their country as bad.

A plurality of Americans think it was a bad decision to hold the Olympics in Beijing.

Nearly half of independents (46%) are undecided or may change their minds.

Not one Shia respondent in the Lebanese sample expresses a favorable view of America

In a 24-nation survey, the median percentage saying the French government respects the freedoms of its people is 63%.

Asked to rate the importance of various priorities in life, some two-thirds (68%) of the self-identified middle class say that free time is very important to them, more than say the same about anything else on the list, including having children (62%), a successful career (59%), being married (55%), or living a religious life (53%).

Gay marriage (28%) ranks lowest in importance among 16 campaign issues.

Roughly one-third of all Protestants are either unable or unwilling to describe their specific denominational affiliation.