American Public Attitudes on America's Role in the World

Below you will find a list of key questions on how Americans feel about the US role in the world. By clicking each question you will find a summary and a review of existing research on this question. This review includes a comprehensive analysis of polling data on these questions. In some cases you will also find examples of comments made in focus groups that were conducted in various cities around the country by COPA's Program on International Policy Attitudes.

America's Role in the World: Overview

What kind of role do Americans want the US to play in the world: Do they want the US to disengage from the world in the wake of the Cold War, or do they want it to be the dominant world leader?

Are Americans willing to make sacrifices for alturistic reasons or to help the world as a whole, or do Americans want US foreign policy tied closely to a narrow concept of the national interest?

United Nations

Do Americans like the United Nations?

Would Americans like the UN to be stronger or do they feel that it is too strong?

What reservations do Americans have about the UN?

Do Americans want the USA to pay its UN dues in full?

Would Americans prefer to use military force through the UN or through NATO?

Peacekeeping

Do Americans support peacekeeping?

Do Americans favor contributing peacekeeping troops to UN operations?

How will Americans react to troop fatalities?

Foreign Aid

Do Americans support foreign aid?

What are the sources of support for foreign aid?

Do Americans want to cut foreign aid spending?

What reservations do Americans have about the foreign aid program?