Germany has been voted the world’s most popular nation for the second year running, according to a poll for the bbc World Service, published June 3. Sixty percent of those polled in 24 nations around the world said they had a mainly positive view of Germany’s influence on the world, with only 18 percent saying it was mainly negative.

By way of comparison, 42 percent said they had a mainly positive view of the United States and 39 percent mainly negative. The poll was mostly taken before the recent events in Crimea, so it is somewhat out-of-date.

The poll found that Canada was the second-most popular nation, with the United Kingdom in third place. Germany’s popularity is a sign of the soft power it has, as well as the world’s desire for Germany to exert more leadership on the world scene.

Commenting on this subject six months ago, Trumpet columnist Brad Macdonald wrote:

It’s difficult to find consensus among nations, but on the subject of Germany and its place in the global order, the world is in harmony: Germany, we want you, we need you, please do more!Again, one can understand the logic. Major world problems are mounting. The West’s competitors—Russia, China, Iran and radical Islam—are increasingly belligerent. And the U.S., overwhelmed by domestic crises and led by a foreign-policy introvert, is abandoning the bridge. Meanwhile, Germany has one of the largest and healthiest economies in the world, is responsibly managed both politically and financially, and has the size and military and diplomatic infrastructure to exert leadership. Germany is strong but pacifist, adept but not overtly domineering.It looks like the perfect savior.

The bbc’s poll shows that this is still true today. To learn where this clamoring for Germany is leading, go back to that article: “We’re All Falling in Love With Germany.”