hired Roper Public Affairs to conduct a study (2006) to ascertain the
depths of the problem. In the resulting report, it was established that even
politicians – the very people responsible for maintaining international
relations – are likely to get basic facts wrong.^3 The situation is far worse
for young adults. In their sample:
86 percent could not identify four countries in the Middle East
on a map.
69 percent could not pick out China on a map of Asia (Figure
15.1).
65 percent could not locate the United Kingdom on a map.
50 percent could not pinpoint New York State on a map of the
U.S.