Two-thirds of world believe government is not the will of the people

LONDON, Thursday (AFP) - Almost two thirds of the world's population do not believe their country is governed by the will of the people, while a mere 11 percent trust politicians, a survey revealed on Thursday.

The Gallup International poll, commissioned by the BBC World Service of more than 50,000 people in 68 countries, found 65 percent of people disagreed that their nation was ruled according to their wishes.

Scandinavian countries and South Africa were the only nations where a majority of inhabitants said they were ruled according to their will.

Politicians were singled out as the least trusted group of leaders in contrast to military, religious or business chiefs.

Globally, religious leaders are the most trusted group at 33 percent. Intellectuals, such as writers and academics, are the groups most people - 35 percent - would like to be given more power, followed by religious heads at 25 percent.

The survey also discovered that 48 percent of people did not believe elections in their country were free or fair.

The levels vary in different regions, with 55 percent believing their polls were fair in the United States and Canada, 24 percent in West Africa, 82 percent in EU countries, and 76 percent in South Africa.

The poll found huge disparities between the developed and developing world when people were asked about their ability to change their lives.

In Latin America, 65 percent felt they were in control, followed by Canada and the United States at 62 percent, with Europe coming in at 53 percent. Least control is felt in Africa, Asia-Pacific and the former Soviet bloc.

Nationality is used by nearly a third of people to define themselves, followed by religion at 21 percent.

The poll also found that 61 percent of people worldwide said family exerted the greatest single influence on them. The lowest rating for family influence is in North America, at 35 percent, compared to 88 percent in Mexico.

The survey findings will launch "Who Runs Your World?" a new season of programmes running from September 16 across BBC World Service, BBC World Television and BBC News Online, exploring where power lies in the 21st century.