Future Arab Barometer Projects

In the first systematic survey of the Arab Barometer project, carried out in 2006, citizens in five Arab countries were asked to identify their most pressing concerns.  Pooled data from the five countries (Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria and Kuwait) indicate that 54% of those surveyed consider economic problems to be most important.  Similarly, when asked about the most important elements of good governance, close to 50% listed reducing the income gap between the rich and poor and the provision of social services.  Economic development is clearly on the mind of majorities across the Arab region, and in recent years both the World Bank and UNDP have acknowledged the severe economic crises looming in much of the Arab world. 

Yet the UNDP and other institutions recognize that economic progress cannot take place without meaningful reform in the political and social arena.  Specifically, the Arab Human Development Report has identified three major deficits that must be addressed in order to promote development and economic well-being.  These are freedom, knowledge, and women’s empowerment.  In order to monitor and contribute to societal transitions on these three critical fronts, it is necessary to conduct systematic public opinion research and to use the data from this research to inform public policy and discourse.

Toward this end, we propose to conduct rigorous and systematic public opinion research in five Arab countries in order to assist officials and policy-makers to address each of these deficits.   The data produced by this research will enable political leaders to better understand the needs, aspirations, and expectations of the citizens for whom they are responsible and to use this information to identify problems, set priorities and assess the impact of their policies and programs.  In addition, this research will not only contribute to more informed and effective public policy, it will also contribute to democratization and good governance through dissemination activities that give visibility and legitimacy to the expression of popular sentiments and that promote the emergence of citizen attitudes and values that are conducive to the maintenance and consolidation of a transition to democracy.  Finally, the proposed project will incorporate institution- and capacity-building activities related to applied social research in order to ensure the continuation of public opinion research in the service of society.