World citizens, especially in Europe, think that the European Union should play a larger global role. According to statistics published in Gallup International’s 2007 Voice of the People Survey, more than a third of respondents wanted the EU to become more influential. Almost 40 percent wanted United States power to decline.

The poll, which is the world’s largest this year, surveyed 57,000 people in more than 50 countries via personal, telephone and online interviews.

Well over half of French (65 percent), Greek (69 percent), and Spanish and Italian (56 percent) respondents wanted the EU to rise in power, while Britons were the least enthusiastic among EU citizens about increasing the Union’s power.

The survey also showed that world citizens were wary of Russia and China, because their rise was connected with military might. Thirty-nine percent of respondents wanted Iran’s power to decrease, only slightly more than the 37 percent that wanted U.S. power to shrink.

EUobserver.com reports that the survey indicates most of the world respects and prefers the EU’s “soft power” approach to global affairs rather than use of armed force.

“The European Union is unique among the four big powers, the other three being the U.S., China and Russia, in that no one wants to balance its rise,” the European Council on Foreign relations, which released the report, said. “It is striking that a continent with a military budget second only to the United States, and the biggest number of peace-keeping forces serving in the world, seems to be perceived as a non-military power.”

The survey’s analysts also said the data showed that the EU appeared to enjoy good reputations with citizens both at home and abroad.

In Turkey, a strategic U.S. ally and a member of nato, 56 percent wanted U.S. power to diminish and only 4 percent wanted it to increase. U.S. influence fared best in Africa, where 37 percent wanted it to increase, and Russia, where that figure is 26 percent.

In a world climate that increasingly favors Europe and distrusts the United States, watch for the German-led bloc to take advantage of this sentiment. Its long history of bloody warfare and brutal conquest stands in stark contrast to current global perceptions, and, sadly, biblical prophecy reveals that it is to this history it will return. Soon, we can expect Berlin and the EU to accept the world’s invitation, and then to dominate. For more on this subject, read Germany and the Holy Roman Empire.