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International Affairs

Topic Spotlight

  • Foreign Aid Support: Over 80% of Americans believe the U.S. should provide humanitarian aid like medicine and food to developing nations. (Read the report)
  • International Engagement: Under 50% of Americans think it is best for the U.S. to be active in world affairs. (Read the report)
  • China Views: Negative views of China have softened slightly among Americans, the first such shift in 5 years. (Read the report)

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International Affairs

Publications

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    Military Action A Higher Priority Than Homeland Defense

    Introduction and Summary The public’s strong commitment to the use of military force in retaliation for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks is predicated at least in part on the idea that a good offense represents the best defense. By 44%-33%, Americans think that taking military action abroad to destroy global terrorist networks is more important […]

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    American Psyche Reeling From Terror Attacks

    Introduction and Summary Americans are standing tall at a time of crisis — they are united in their approval of the nation’s leaders, paying rapt attention to news, and say they are willing to suffer thousands of military casualties in a protracted conflict to retaliate for last week’s terrorist attacks. But at the same time […]

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    How Americans Used the Internet After the Terror Attack

    The Internet was not a primary resource for news for most Americans after the terror attacks, but was a helpful supplement to TV and the telephone; many found it useful for expressing their sorrow and anger.

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    Bush Unpopular in Europe, Seen As Unilateralist

    Overview George W. Bush is highly unpopular with the publics of the major nations of Western Europe. By wide margins, people in Germany, France, Great Britain and Italy all disapprove of his handling of international policy, and the American president does not inspire much more confidence in these countries than does Russian President Vladimir Putin. […]

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    Bush Unpopular in Europe, Seen As Unilateralist

    Introduction and Summary George W. Bush is highly unpopular with the publics of the major nations of Western Europe. By wide margins, people in Germany, France, Great Britain and Italy all disapprove of his handling of international policy, and the American president does not inspire much more confidence in these countries than does Russian President […]

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    Modest Support for Missile Defense, No Panic on China

    Introduction and Summary As George W. Bush makes his first overseas trip as president, he has the backing of the American public on a pair of high-profile security and foreign policy issues. The public favors his call for developing a national missile defense system and feels he is taking the right tack in handling relations […]

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    A Year Later, More Doubts About Kosovo Mission

    Introduction and Summary A year after the United States launched military operations in the Balkans, the public has more doubts about the efforts of the U.S. and its NATO allies to bring peace to Kosovo. Americans are also wary of possible military action against China, with a solid majority opposed to using force to defend […]

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    Post-Seattle Support for WTO

    Introduction and Summary Most Americans continue to support free trade, in spite of last fall’s destructive protests in Seattle against the World Trade Organization (WTO). But the public wants international trade agreements to protect jobs and economic growth at home, and improve the global environment. And while the nation backs free trade in principle, there […]

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    Senate Test Ban Vote Little Noticed, Less Understood

    Introduction and Summary The U.S. Senate’s rejection of the underground nuclear test ban treaty has gone unnoticed by half of the public, and only one-in-ten Americans say they have heard a lot about why some in the Senate backed the treaty, while others opposed it. Just about half of respondents (49%) polled in a Pew […]

Signature Reports

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Attitudes on an Interconnected World

How close do people feel to others around the world? How much do they want their countries involved in international affairs? How do people’s experiences with travel and feelings of international connectedness relate to their views about the world? A recent 24-nation survey explores these questions.

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What Can Improve Democracy?

Amid growing discontent with the state of democracy globally, we asked over 30,000 people what changes would make their democracy work better.

Features