One of the goals of RESULTS is to educate people about poverty and programs here in the U.S. and around the world that are reducing poverty. Underlying that conversation about poverty, however, is a host of facts, theories, assumptions, articles of faith, thoughts, “commonsense” knowledge, and feelings about poverty, politics, economics, justice, and government. All that information accumulates day by day and comes from a variety of sources. Some sources we completely trust, others we don’t trust at all, and some we partially trust depending on the subject. Some of those sources include friends and the media and the intersection of those two inspired this entry.
A very dear friend of mine, Bob Shepherd, and I often engage in rousing debates of political, social, and economic issues. While we’re both relatively moderate politically, Bob is generally more conservative while I’m more liberal. You can imagine the struggle we face trying to understand each other’s thinking and persuade the other on the merits of our own views. He brings much experience and a range of knowledge that is both wide and deep in support of his positions. His comments and observations have often forced me to sharpen my critical thinking and research skills to buttress my own positions. (Bob, if you read this entry: THANK YOU!)
So, what does this all have to do with RESULTS? Because RESULTS challenges people to question what they believe and what they think is possible. And, while researching for information to support my position in a recent argument with my good friend Bob, I came across a study that confirms my belief people are often ignorant and frightens me due to the level of that ignorance even among people who try to be informed.
The study is called Misinformation and the 2010 Election: A Study of the US Electorate and was done by World Public Opinion.org. I highly recommend downloading the report in pdf format and reading it. The study is 26 pages long, is surprisingly quick to read due the many tables and graphs, and contains links to its sources.
The study resulted in four key findings and I found the second particularly alarming: “The poll found strong evidence that voters were substantially misinformed on many of the issues prominent in the election campaign…. In particular, voters had perceptions about the expert opinion of economists and other scientists that were quite different from actual expert opinion.”
I have first hand knowledge of the disconnect between average people’s beliefs and experts’ belief.
As a RESULTS activist focused on international development, I’m often lobbying Congress to increase funding for foreign aid. Often, the representatives and senators agree with me and would like to increase the foreign aid programs for which I lobby. Many of them know that foreign aid is only 1% of the whole U.S. federal budget, but they also know they have to answer to constituents who think the government spends much more than that.
According the the American Public Opinion on Foreign Aid survey, conducted by the previously mentioned World Public Opinion.org, on average folks in the U.S. think the federal government budgets 27% (median 25%) for foreign aid and on average should budget 13% (median 10%).
When a politician wants to increase funding for foreign aid programs and U.S. citizens think the government already spends too much, it’s sometimes an uphill battle. Politicians need to know they have constituent support to go out on limbs to support funding for aid programs. Creating that support is what RESULTS does and needs to do even better. It’s something I need to do more of and better.
Jim, (or shall I open this response to your “Facts Are Facts” article with my affectionate name for you, Albert, as in the Einstein category?)
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind and supportive words with respect to our sometimes raucous and opposing political and economic viewpoints. Your words ring true: We oftentimes learn a great deal about various subject matter due to our friendly — albeit emotionally challenging — conversations.
If there is one issue in which you have championed and won my admiration and respect, it is your involvement in and my education of, RESULTS. I must admit that I perceived RESULTS as just another “let’s spend more on world social programs” organization than a responsible and efficient, and successful, amalgamation of dedicated people who are genuinely interest in ending or at least alleviating world diseases, hunger, and povery through self-supporting economic programs. After listening to your arguments and researching some of the issues on my own, you have won the heart and mind of this conservative. I now feel RESULTS should be supported and financed by our government representatives.
Nice job on your finely written article. And thank you, my friend, for shedding much light on a host of different topics.
Bob (Otherwise know to you as Max, as in Max Born.)
Thanks for your kind comments, my friend, I appreciate them and am glad I’ve been able to introduce you to RESULTS .I’m also glad that you think RESULTS should be financed by our government representatives, but as a RESULTS volunteer I would rather government fund the programs RESULTS champions than RESULTS itself. Thanks, again!