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Too Pacifist in Peace, Too Bellicose in War: Political Information and Foreign Policy Opinion

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  • Benjamin O. Fordham
  • Katja B. Kleinberg

Abstract

Scholars of public opinion and foreign policy recognize that the general public is poorly informed about international affairs, but they disagree about whether and how this fact affects the policies that it will support. Some argue that the lack of information has little effect, at least in the aggregate, while others hold that political information mediates attention to elite cues. We investigate a third line of argument in which political information has a direct effect on the policy options individuals support. Low levels of political information give rise to a pattern of complacency toward likely international threats in times of relative peace and a contrasting tendency to support violent and aggressive policy options during war or acute crises. We test this argument using survey data from two relevant historical settings: the American entry into World War II and the response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jocore:v:64:y:2020:i:10:p:1828-1856
    DOI: 10.1177/0022002720912818
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Darren W. Davis & Brian D. Silver, 2004. "Civil Liberties vs. Security: Public Opinion in the Context of the Terrorist Attacks on America," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 48(1), pages 28-46, January.
    2. 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.
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