The United States will host the second Summit for Democracy from March 29 to 30, concocting a narrative of "democracy versus authoritarianism" and presenting itself as a global "beacon of democracy." However, a recent global poll found that people around the world have a clear judgment about the hypocrisy of American-style democracy. 

According to a global poll conducted by CGTN Think Tank and the Chinese Institute of Public Opinion at Renmin University of China, 74.5 percent of global respondents believe that U.S. political power is more likely to serve the wealthy few than the general public.

74.5 percent of Global Respondents: American democracy serves the rich 

The majority of respondents in this global poll expressed disappointment and dissatisfaction with the functioning and current state of Western democracies. Among them, 68.6 percent of global respondents believe that there are many conflicts among lawmakers in Western democracies, leading to delays in many issues that concern people's livelihood. Of the respondents, 66.3 percent believe that the frequent turnover of the governing party results in a lack of long-term consideration in policy making and continuity.

The majority of respondents in the survey believe that the nature of American democracy is to serve the interests of the rich. Among them, 74.5 percent of respondents believe that, in terms of the actual functioning of American politics, power tends to serve the interests of the wealthy few more than the interests of the general public. 72.5 percent of respondents believe that politicians only mention people's will during elections and then ignore them afterward.

American-style democracy cannot solve severe social conflicts

Despite the United States' claims to be the "guardian of democracy," a series of domestic incidents such as immigration, racial tensions, and gun violence have highlighted the country's governance dilemma and the hypocrisy of its democracy. According to the poll, 88.6 percent of global respondents feel that U.S. politicians and media outlets are taking advantage of loopholes in the "free press" system to spread false information and amplify racial hatred and extremism. 60.3 percent of respondents believe that social disagreements such as gun violence cannot be properly resolved under the current U.S. democratic system.

Even so, the United States still regards the American-style democracy as the only solution for the world. Under the name of so-called democracy and human rights, the U.S. has long used its economic and military power to suppress or deter other sovereign states. It attempts to shape other countries and the world order according to American values and political systems, provoking divisions and inciting confrontation. Nearly 70 percent (65.8 percent) of the respondents in the survey strongly oppose the practice of forcing another country to change its political system by inciting revolution or aggression. This move by the U.S. fully exposes its hegemony and bullying side.

The "Global Democracy" overseas poll collected a total of 3,776 valid questionnaires from 35 countries around the world. Respondents included residents of developed countries such as the U.S., UK, France, and Germany, as well as people from developing countries such as Namibia, Nigeria, and Pakistan.