VOA标准英语2008年-Survey Finds Most Muslims Upbeat on Globalizati

A survey conducted in predominantly Muslim nations shows an overall embrace of globalization, trade, and integration¹ into the world economy. From Washington, VOA's Michael Bowman reports.

For those who view Muslims as generally insular², inward-looking and suspicious of the world at large, the results of the poll may come as a surprise.

Conducted by the U.S.-headquartered group, WorldPublicOpinion.org, the poll surveyed the opinions of more than 5,000 people in Egypt, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Indonesia, the Palestinian territories, and Muslim areas of Nigeria.

"All of the Muslim countries we polled in, a majority or at least a plurality said that they thought that globalization, defined as the increasing connections of our economy with others around the world, is mostly good for their country," said WorldPublicOpinion.org director Steven Kull. "Egypt and the Muslim population of Nigeria - in those countries 8-in-10 said [globalization] is mostly good."

Overall, the poll found 63 percent of Muslims rating globalization favorably, with 59 percent viewing trade as beneficial.

When reservations about globalization were expressed, respondents did not focus on how the Muslim faith might be affected³ by growing international ties. Rather, the survey found Muslims concerned about the impact of globalization on the environment and job security.

Kull noted⁴ that these views are hardly unique to Muslims.

"The patterns we found here [in the survey] are no different than the patterns around the world. These sentiments are quite common," he said.

Kull added that the survey results dispel⁵ some common perceptions about Muslims.

"Many people assume that people in the Muslim world are uncomfortable with the notion of globalization, that they are afraid of the outside world undermining their culture," said Kull. "It is often interpreted that the negative feelings that the people in the Muslim world express toward the West are derived⁶ from as kind of separatist impulse, a desire to not integrate with the larger world. And while there clearly are negative feelings towards the West, it does not lead them to ultimately want to be separate."

The poll was conducted with the assistance of academic institutions in the countries surveyed.

1 integration   

n.一体化，联合，结合

参考例句：

• We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
• This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。

2 insular   

adj.岛屿的，心胸狭窄的

参考例句：

• A continental climate is different from an insular one.大陆性气候不同于岛屿气候。
• Having lived in one place all his life,his views are insular.他一辈子住在一个地方，所以思想狭隘。

3 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 dispel   

vt.驱走，驱散，消除

参考例句：

• I tried in vain to dispel her misgivings.我试图消除她的疑虑，但没有成功。
• We hope the programme will dispel certain misconceptions about the disease.我们希望这个节目能消除对这种疾病的一些误解。

6 derived   

vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取

参考例句：

• Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek. 英语很多词源出于拉丁文和希腊文。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He derived his enthusiasm for literature from his father. 他对文学的爱好是受他父亲的影响。 来自《简明英汉词典》