ISSUE GUIDES: America's Global Role
The Red Flags section offers guidance on areas of public opinion research where findings may be misleading, unstable, or easily misinterpreted. Public Agenda uses several indicators to judge when survey results should be reported and used cautiously.
Red Flag Statements
| When to Intervene | Lack of Knowledge | Ambivalence on Foreign Trade | Foreign Aid: Yes, No and Maybe | Attitudes Toward China |
The public’s views on when the U.S. should intervene in world affairs are often uncertain and reflect the tensions that have marked U.S. foreign policy thinking since Woodrow Wilson. On one hand, most Americans don’t want the U.S. to be the “world’s policeman” and generally don’t endorse the U.S. striking first at potential enemies. On the other, majorities also say preemptive attacks are justified in certain cases, such as when another country may use nuclear weapons against the U.S. or if there were evidence of possible terrorist activity. In general, Americans prefer that the U.S. handle international affairs with the backing of its allies and the U.N. However, Iraq may be an exception. While Americans supported the U.S.’ decision to forgo U.N. approval of the war in Iraq, most also say the U.S. should not feel free to use force without the backing of the U.N. in the future.
- Half of Americans say the U.S. should play a major role in world affairs, but more than half reject ....
- Majorities say the U.S. should consider its allies’ views before taking action
- Responses to whether the U.S. has a responsibility to intervene in international “hot spots” vary ...
- Two-thirds say they supported the decision not to seek a U.N. vote on war with Iraq, but most say ...
- While half of Americans say they oppose preemptive strikes against other countries, most say the U.S. ...
Tags: Americans don’t know the particulars of many foreign policy issues. Although four in 10 say they follow news about world affairs “very closely,” many Americans respond “don’t know” to questions about recent news events. For example even as the conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis continues to make front page headlines, half of Americans are not sure who Yasser Arafat is and most cannot name the prime minister of Israel. And, since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks – an event that received intense media coverage – many Americans admitted to knowing little about the Islamic faith. Survey researchers consider a double-digit “don’t know” response a warning sign that an issue may not be well understood and public attitudes may not be stable.
- A majority of Americans say they follow news about world affairs "very" or "somewhat" closely
- Even after Sept. 11, many Americans don't know basic facts about the Islamic faith and more than half say ...
- Survey questions on specific foreign policy issues often elicit substantial “don’t know” responses
Attitudes about foreign trade are tinged with both frustration and fatalism. Poll questions about trade often reveal a split on whether it is good or bad for the U.S. with many saying they don't know and responses varying with question wording - all typical warning signs that attitudes on this issue are unsettled. While there seems to be consensus among most Americans that U.S. trade policy should be crafted to protect American jobs and maintain economic growth, many give the U.S. unsatisfactory grades for keeping jobs here and making pacts that benefit the U.S. In addition, large majorities say it's unrealistic to believe American companies will keep jobs here when labor is cheaper elsewhere. It's also important to note that Americans' priorities for crafting trade policy are somewhat conflicted in and of themselves. For instance, large majorities say both economic growth and American jobs should be a "top priority," but majorities also say they want products at affordable prices. Other poll questions reveal nearly all Americans want international agreements to reflect a concern for the environment and working conditions. At the same time though, half say it's unrealistic to expect American companies to maintain the same standards abroad as they have at home.
- Americans are divided on foreign trade with many saying they don't know and responses that vary with question wording
- Majorities say both economic growth and American jobs should be a "top priority," but majorities also say ...
- Most Americans say economic growth and protecting American jobs should be the top priorities ...
- Nearly all Americans say international trade agreements should require minimum standards, but half say ...
- Three-quarters of Americans say it's unrealistic to believe American companies will keep jobs in the U.S. ...
Americans have historically been skeptical about foreign aid. Most respond favorably to humanitarian initiatives and Americans give the U.S. high marks for helping other countries when natural disasters strike. Yet, majorities say the U.S. should concentrate on problems at home. A majority of Americans also say the U.S. spends too much on foreign aid - this is an area where public attitudes can be uncertain or ill informed. For example, half of Americans mistakenly believe we spend more on international aid than we do on Medicare and Social Security. In addition, survey questions on foreign aid often elicit double-digit "don't know" responses - a warning sign that an issue may not be well understood and public attitudes may not be stable. For instance, Americans are divided and many say they "don't know" when questions refer to spending U.S. dollars to combat HIV/AIDS in developing nations.
- About half of Americans mistakenly believe we spend more on foreign aid than on Medicare and Social Security
- Americans are divided on whether the U.S. spends enough to combat HIV/AIDS in developing countries, but six in 10 say ...
- Americans give the U.S. the highest marks for helping other countries when natural disasters strike
- Majorities say the U.S. is doing more than its share of helping less fortunate countries and we should focus on problems at home
- Most Americans favor specific types of aid such as food and medical assistance, but more than half say ...
Surveys suggest that many Americans do not know what to make of China. Since the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989, general public attitudes toward the Chinese government have tended to be unfavorable, but few Americans say China is an enemy of the U.S. However, more than half also say the development of China as a superpower is a critical threat to the U.S. and majorities say China will play a greater role in the next decade than it does today. When it comes to specific policy questions, Americans appear divided and unsure, and responses often vary depending on question wording. Survey researchers consider a double-digit "don't know" response a warning sign that an issue may not be well understood and public attitudes may not be stable.
- Americans are divided on whether China is a friend of the U.S., but few say China is an enemy
- Americans have been more likely to say they have an unfavorable view of China since the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown
- More than half say the development of China as a superpower is a critical threat to the U.S. and majorities say ...
- Most Americans say they oppose sending U.S. troops to intervene if China invaded Taiwan, but some are not sure
- Survey questions on China often find a substantial number of "don't know" responses
- While majorities say they favor trade with China, half say that their trading practices are unfair
Public Agenda uses several indicators to judge when survey results should be reported and used cautiously:
- Results change when survey questions are reworded slightly.
- Results change when implications or trade-offs of a policy are pointed out.
- Results may be misleading if reported in isolation or out of context.
- Other research suggests that people have incomplete or inaccurate knowledge in this area.
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