Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XXX, Public Diplomacy

193. Foreign Opinion Note Prepared in the Office of Research, Directorate for Programs, International Communication Agency¹

N–25–79

Washington, December 3, 1979

THE EXTENT OF ANTI-AMERICANISM ABROAD

In the absence of objective measurements there is a danger in the context of current Iranian developments of coming to exaggerated conclusions as to the extent of anti-Americanism abroad.

This is something that has been systematically monitored in the past, as may be noted in the illustrative chart attached summarizing findings from a worldwide survey conducted by the Agency some years ago in 22 countries and major cities.²

The chart documents a widespread predominance of pro-American orientations, even in Tehran. This is a pattern that has been repeatedly evidenced in Agency surveys in scores of countries over the past many years. In short, it is trite but true to say there has been a large reservoir of good will toward the US throughout the Free World.

While comparable trend measurements are lacking for recent years, the breadth of positive indications in the past and their persistence through prior periods of stress and strain in US relations establish a high probability that pro-American orientations for the most part continue to prevail.

Recent developments in Iran should not be permitted to obscure this likelihood and lead to inflated conceptions of the extent of basic anti-Americanism—even in Tehran itself. What may exist here is what is so often the case, shrill elements of the public representing themselves as vox populi.

It is important to distinguish anti-Americanism from criticism of US foreign policies. As may be noted from comparisons of Chart I to Chart II, there is considerably more of the latter than the former. So in general people can be critical of US policies without being basically unfavorable in their opinion of the US. More specifically in the current context, this means that Iranians can be critical of US policy relating to the Shah without being fundamentally anti-American.

Some of these points are obvious when spelled out but could easily be lost sight of in the heat of the present crisis. They are therefore possibly helpful reminders in any current efforts to assess the present extent of anti-Americanism throughout the Free World.

1. Source: National Archives, RG 306, Office of Research, Foreign Opinion Notes, 1973–1989, Entry P–118, Box 2, N–25–79. No classification marking. Prepared by Crespi.
2. An unknown hand inserted “the” before “past” and “be” before “noted.” Attached but not printed are two charts entitled “General Feeling about the U.S.” and “Reactions to U.S. Foreign Policies in General.” A typed notation at the bottom of the first chart reads: “(from USIA Report R–176–65, ‛US Standing in Worldwide Public Opinion—1965’).”