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Economic Interests and Public Support for American Global Activism

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  • Fordham, Benjamin O.

Abstract

This research note evaluates the effect of economic interests on public support for American global activism. Those who were relatively well-positioned to benefit economically from the American-backed postwar international order, mainly those with better access to human and financial capital, or who hailed from relatively export-oriented parts of the country, should be more likely to support it. An analysis of American National Election Study data on support for isolationism between 1956 and 2000 supports this line of argument. Individual self-interest is probably the most important pathway through which the international economy has influenced public opinion. However, the aggregate effects of exports and imports on respondents' home states have also made a difference. The effects of these economic interests are substantively large and fairly consistent over time.A previous version of this work was presented to the 2006 annual meeting of the American Political Science Association. I would like to thank Michael A. Bailey, Larry Bartels, Matthew Baum, Adam Berinsky, and Kenneth Schultz for their comments. Any remaining errors and omissions are solely the responsibility of the author.

Suggested Citation

  • Fordham, Benjamin O., 2008. "Economic Interests and Public Support for American Global Activism," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 62(1), pages 163-182, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:intorg:v:62:y:2008:i:01:p:163-182_08
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    Cited by:

    1. Bernd Schlipphak, 2013. "Action and attitudes matter: International public opinion towards the European Union," European Union Politics, , vol. 14(4), pages 590-618, December.
    2. Seiki Tanaka, 2016. "The microfoundations of territorial disputes: Evidence from a survey experiment in Japan," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 33(5), pages 516-538, November.
    3. Schaffer, Lena Maria & Spilker, Gabriele, 2013. "Ego- vs. Sociotropic: Using Survey Experiments to Understand Individuals’ Trade Preferences," Papers 620, World Trade Institute.
    4. Benjamin O. Fordham & Katja B. Kleinberg, 2020. "Too Pacifist in Peace, Too Bellicose in War: Political Information and Foreign Policy Opinion," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 64(10), pages 1828-1856, November.
    5. R. Urbatsch, 2010. "Isolationism and Domestic Politics," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 54(3), pages 471-492, June.
    6. Katja B. Kleinberg & Benjamin O. Fordham, 2010. "Trade and Foreign Policy Attitudes," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 54(5), pages 687-714, October.
    7. Bernd Schlipphak, 2015. "Measuring attitudes toward regional organizations outside Europe," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 10(3), pages 351-375, September.
    8. Paola Conconi & Giovanni Facchini & Max F. Steinhardt & Maurizio Zanardi, 2012. "The Political Economy of Trade and Migration: Evidence from the US Congress: CEPR Discussion Paper 9270," Working Papers ECARES ECARES 2012-49, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.

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