US Role

1. How important is each of the following to you personally as a reason for the US (United States) to be active in world affairs? Use a scale again of 0 to 10 scale, where 0 means something is not at all an important reason and 10 means it is an extremely important reason to you personally...[ITEM]… How important is this?

I want to help people who have less than we do--no matter what country they live in.
The percent of respondents saying 10--Extremely important reason = 26%
Mean = point 6.85

We have a moral obligation to help people in other countries who have less than we do.
The percent of respondents saying 10--Extremely important reason = 20%
Mean = point 6.41

I have a religious belief that we should try to help the disadvantaged wherever they are.
The percent of respondents saying 10--Extremely important reason = 33%
Mean = point 6.90

We have a responsibility to leave a better world for future generations.
The percent of respondents saying 10--Extremely important reason = 62%
Mean = point 8.93

Organization: Aspen Institute/Belden Russonello & Stewart
Date: Jan 14-Feb 5, 2000

2. Do you think that people in other countries see the United States...as generous toward other countries, or not? Subpopulation: Asked of half sample
Yes	66%
No	29
Don't Know/refused	5
Organization: Public Agenda Foundation Date: September 5-18, 2006

3. (Now, let me read you a series of statements in support of increasing foreign assistance to other nations. After I read each one please tell me whether you find it very convincing, somewhat convincing, a little convincing, or not at all convincing.)... The United States is the only remaining superpower and the world's wealthiest nation. We have a moral responsibility to help those who need it the most. America has always stood for justice, freedom, and opportunity for all people--a responsibility that has only grown since September 11th (2001, the day of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon).
Very convincing	33%
Somewhat convincing	37
A little convincing	11
Not at all convincing	17
Don't know/refused	1

Organization: Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research/Public Opinion Strategies Date: Dec 4-6, 2001

4. (Now let me read you some short statements. Please tell me which statement comes closer to your own view.)... As the world's wealthiest nation, the United States has a moral responsibility to provide assistance to improve economic and social conditions in other nations. While we are the world's wealthiest nation, the United States does not have a moral responsibility to provide assistance to improve economic and social conditions in other nations. (If choice made, ask:) Is that statement much/somewhat closer to your own view?
1st statement much closer	27%
1st statement somewhat closer	28
2nd statement somewhat closer	20
2nd statement much closer	20
Both (vol.)	1
Neither (vol.)	2
Don't know/refused	2

Organization: Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research/Public Opinion Strategies Date: Dec 4-6, 2001

Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statement. As one of the world's rich nations, the United States has a moral responsibility toward poor nations to help them develop economically and improve their people's lives. Would that be strongly or somewhat (agree/disagree)?
Strongly agree	30.8
Somewhat agree	36.9
Somewhat disagree	15.6
Strongly disagree	13.9
Don't Know	2.4
Refused	0.3

Organization: PIPA Sample Size: approx. 600 Date: October 21-29, 1999

The OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), which is a group of all the major industrialized countries--primarily the US (United States), Europe, and Japan--has proposed a goal of cutting hunger in half by the year 2015. Some people have proposed that these countries should commit to a joint plan for achieving this goal. I would like you to consider some points of view on this proposal. For each one please tell me if you find it convincing or unconvincing....Given the high level of wealth in the industrialized countries, we have a moral responsibility to share some of this wealth to reduce hunger in the world.
Convincing	69%
Unconvincing	29
Don't know	2
Refused	*
Organization: PIPA Date: November 1-6, 2000

5. (How important to our foreign policy should each of the following be? Should this be very important, somewhat important, not very important or not at all important?)...[Question Note: * = less than .5]
	Important	Very important	Somewhat Important	Not important	Not very important	Not at all important	DK/NA
Helping other countries when they are struck by natural disasters like the tsunami in Indonesia	97%	71%	26%	2%	1%	1%	*
Cooperating with other countries on problems like the environment or control of diseases	95	73	22	4	3	1	1
Assisting countries with developing clean water supplies	95	71	24	5	3	2	*
Improving the treatment of women in other countries	90	60	30	9	5	4	1
Helping people in poor countries to get an education	89	54	35	10	6	4	1
Helping poor countries move out of poverty	88	46	42	12	8	4	1
Organization: Public Agenda Foundation Date: September 5-18, 2006

6. Please tell me which of the following two statements comes closer to your point of view? [random alternate order] A. We should only send aid to parts of the world where the US has security interests. B. When hunger is a major problem in some part of the world we should send aid whether or not the US has a security interest in that region.
Statement A	34%
Statement B	63
Don't Know/refused	4
Organization: PIPA Date: November 2000

7. (Now I am going to read you a number of arguments that have been made on the subject of foreign aid. As I read each one please say whether you agree or disagree with it, strongly or somewhat. …) We should only make commitments to send aid to parts of the world where we have security interests. These include the former Soviet republics and Eastern Europe where we want to prevent the reemergence of the Russian empire, and the Middle East where we want to ensure access to oil. We should not send aid to other parts of the world, such as Africa, Asia or Latin America, because we do not really have vital security interests there.
Agree strongly	11%
Agree somewhat	11
Disagree somewhat	29
Disagree strongly	48
Don't know/refused	1

Organization: PIPA Date: January 1995

8. Which is closer to your view of the proper role of the US (United States) in the world?... The US sometimes needs to get involved in regional conflicts that do not directly threaten US interest because we are often the only country able to maintain world peace and prevent humanitarian disasters such as Kosovo and East Timor. The US should only act to protect our own national interests because it is not our responsibility to keep peace around the world.
The US sometimes needs to get involved in regional conflicts that do not directly threaten US interest because we are often the only country able to maintain world peace and prevent humanitarian disasters such as Kosovo and East Timor	56%
The US should only act to protect our own national interests because it is not our responsibility to keep peace around the world	40%
Don't know	4
Organization: Mark Penn/Democratic Leadership Council Date: Sep 28-29, 1999

9. Do you agree or disagree that the U.S. (United States) and other Western powers have a moral obligation to use military force if necessary, to prevent one group of people from committing genocide against another? [Subpopulation/Note: Asked of Form 1 half sample]
Agree	69%
Disagree	21
Don't Know/refused	10
Organization: Pew Research Center Date: July 7-17, 2005

(I'm going to read you a couple of statements. Please tell if you completely agree, mostly agree, mostly disagree, or completely disagree with each statement.)... Do you completely agree, mostly agree, mostly disagree, or completely disagree that, in the future, the US (United States) and other Western powers have a moral obligation to use military force if necessary, to prevent one group of people from committing genocide against another?
Completely agree	36%
Mostly agree	38
Mostly disagree	11
Completely disagree	6
Don't know/Refused	9

Organization: Pew Research Center Date: March 5-18, 2001

In the future, do you think the US and other Western powers have a moral obligation to use military force in other countries, if necessary, to prevent one group of people from committing genocide against another, or don't you think so?
Yes	61%
No	26
Don't know/Refused	13
Organization: Pew Research Date: October 4-8, 2000

In general, does the United States have a moral responsibility to get involved in countries where there is widespread persecution of one ethnic group, or not?
Moral responsibility	63%
Not a moral responsibility	24
Depends (vol.)	6
Don't know/No answer	7
Organization: CBS News/New York Times Date: April 5-6, 1999

9a. Now I am going to read to you a series of arguments that have been made about the US (United States) military and UN (United Nations) peace operations. For each one, please tell me if you agree or disagree with the statement.... When innocent civilians are suffering or being killed, and a UN peace operation is being organized to try to address the problem, in most cases the US should be willing to contribute some troops, whether or not it serves the national interest.
Agree	66%
Disagree	30
Don't know/Refused	4
Organization: PIPA Date: April 1995

10. In the future, do you think that the US (United States) and other Western powers have a moral obligation to use military force in [REGION], if necessary, to prevent one group of people from committing genocide against another, or don't you think so? [one-third samples]

Europe	Yes	60%
	No	29
	Don't know/Refused	11

Asia	Yes	58%
	No	31
	Don't know/Refused	11
Africa	Yes	58%
	No	31
	Don't know/Refused	11

Organization: Pew Research Center Date: June 9-13, 1999

11. Do you think the United States has a moral obligation to help keep the peace in Bosnia, or not?
Yes, does have moral obligation	53%
No, does not	40
No opinion	7

Organization: Gallup/CNN/USAT Date: November 27, 1995

Do you think the United States has a moral obligation to help UN (United Nations) peace-keeping troops in Bosnia, or don't you think so?
Yes, moral obligation	60%
No, don't think so	35
Don't know/Refused	5
Organization: Gallup/CNN/USAT Date: June 5-6 1995

Do you think the United States has a moral obligation to try to establish peace in Kosovo, or not?
Yes	71%
No	27
No opinion	2

Organization: ABC News Date: April 8, 1999

Do you think the United States has a moral obligation to try to establish peace in Kosovo, or not?
Yes	66%
No	31
No opinion	3
Organization: ABC News/Washington Post Date: April 5-6, 1999

Do you think the United States has a moral obligation to help keep the peace in Kosovo, or not?
Yes, have obligation	64%
No, does not	32
No opinion	4
Organization: Gallup Organization/Cable News Network, USA Today Date: March 25, 1999

Do you think the US (United States) has a moral obligation to try to help stop Serbian actions in Kosovo, or don't you feel that way?
Yes, the US has a moral obligation	58%
No, I don't feel that way	35
Don't Know	7
Refused	*
Organization: I.C.R. Survey Research Group Date: APR 23-28, 1999

12. (Presently there is some discussion about whether the US (United States) should continue to be a part of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) peacekeeping operation in Bosnia. Here are some arguments that have been made on this issue. For each one, please tell me if you find this argument convincing or unconvincing.)... Bosnia is far from the US and we have no real interests there. Therefore it is wrong to risk the lives of American troops in a NATO peacekeeping operation in Bosnia. Do you find this argument convincing or unconvincing? (If convincing/unconvincing, ask:) Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
Strongly convincing	19%
Somewhat convincing	16
Somewhat unconvincing	22
Strongly unconvincing	40
Don't know/Refused	3
Organization: PIPA Date: Feb-April 1998

(As you may know, the US (United States) and other countries are trying to get the warring parties to sign a peace agreement (in Bosnia). If they do sign such an agreement it will be necessary to send in a force of approximately 50,000 UN (United Nations) peacekeepers to police the agreement. The (President Bill) Clinton Administration has said that it would like to contribute some of the troops for this force but Congress has not yet decided whether to agree to this. Now I would like to read you a number of questions with arguments that have been used to support or to oppose the idea of contributing US troops. In each case please tell me if you find the argument convincing or unconvincing.)... Bosnia is far from the U.S and we have no real interests there. Therefore it would be wrong to risk the lives of American troops in a UN peacekeeping operation in Bosnia. Do you find this argument convincing or unconvincing? (Would this be somewhat or very convincing/unconvincing?)
Very convincing	19%
Somewhat convincing	18
Somewhat unconvincing	24
Very unconvincing	37
Don't know/Refused	3
Organization: PIPA Date: April 1994

Full topline from July 1994 poll question on Rwanda not available.

13. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the war in Bosnia. Do you think stopping more people from being killed in this war is a good enough reason to send US (United States) troops to Bosnia or isn't this a good enough reason?
Good enough	64%
Not good enough	32
Don't know/No answer	4
Organization: CBS/New York Times Date: December 1995

(As you may know, the US (United States) and other countries are trying to get the warring parties to sign a peace agreement (in Bosnia). If they do sign such an agreement it will be necessary to send in a force of approximately 50,000 UN (United Nations) peacekeepers to police the agreement. The (President Bill) Clinton Administration has said that it would like to contribute some of the troops for this force but Congress has not yet decided whether to agree to this. Now I would like to read you a number of questions with arguments that have been used to support or to oppose the idea of contributing US troops. In each case please tell me if you find the argument convincing or unconvincing.)... Over 200,000 people have died in the war in Bosnia, over a million people have been made refugees and countless atrocities have been committed. For moral reasons, the US should contribute some of its troops, together with other countries, to efforts to try to end the bloodshed. Do you find this argument convincing or unconvincing? (Would this be somewhat or very convincing/unconvincing?)
Very convincing	40%
Somewhat convincing	29
Somewhat unconvincing	12
Very unconvincing	16
Don't know/Refused	2
Organization: PIPA Dates: April 1994

14. There has been some discussion about the circumstances that might justify using US troops in other parts of the world. Please give your opinion about some situations. Would you favor or oppose the use of US troops:
	To deal with humanitarian crises	Favor	Oppose	Not Sure/Decline	Total
	2006	66%	28%	5%	%
	2004	72	25	3	100
	To assist a population struck by famine
	2002	81	16	3	100
	To ensure the oil supply
	2006	45	49	6	100
	2004	54	42	5	100
	2002	65	30	1	100
Organization: The Chicago Council Dates: As noted

15. Please tell me if you agree or disagree with the following statement: I regard myself as a citizen of the world as well as a citizen of the United States. Would that be strongly or somewhat (agree/disagree)?
	Oct 2006	Mar 2004
The US should use its power to make the world be the way that best serves US interests and values	16%	16%
The US should coordinate its power together with other countries according to shared ideas of what is best for the world as a whole	79	83
No Answer	5	1
Organization: WorldPublicOpinion.org/PIPA/KN Dates: As noted

16. Which statement comes closest to your point of view? [3/4 SAMPLE A,B,D]
	Oct 2006	Jul 1994
The US should not make sacrifices in an effort to help the world as a whole	22%	14%
Sometimes the US should be willing to make some sacrifices if this will help the world as a whole	75	84
No Answer	4	2
Organization: WorldPublicOpinion.org/PIPA/KN Dates: As noted

17. How should the US (United States) determine its policy with regard to the war on terrorism? Should it be based mostly on the national interests of the US, or should it strongly take into account the interests of its allies?
US national interests	30%
Interests and views of allies	59
Both (vol.)	7
Neither (vol.)	*
Don't know/Refused	4

Organization: Pew Date: October 2001

18. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: The United States should look beyond its own self-interest and do what’s best for the world as a whole, because in the long run this will probably help make the kind of world that is best for the US.
Agree	71%
Disagree	25
(No answer)	5

Organization: WorldPublicOpinion.org/Knowledge Networks Date: November 21-29, 2006

19. [3/4 SAMPLE B,C,D] In its foreign policy do you think the US should
Think in terms of being a good neighbor with other countries, because cooperative relationships are ultimately in the best interests of the United States	79%
Not worry about what others think, but just think in terms of what is best for the US, because the world is a rough place.	16
(No answer)	5

Organization: WorldPublicOpinion.org/Knowledge Networks Date: October 6-15, 2006

20. Please tell me if you agree or disagree with the following statement: Because the world is so interconnected today, the US should participate in efforts to maintain peace, protect human rights, and promote economic development. Such efforts serve US interests because they help to create a more stable world that is less apt to have wars and is better for the growth of trade and other US goals.
Agree	77.9
Disagree	18.4
Don't Know	2.9
Refused	.8

Please tell me if you agree or disagree with the following statement: It is nice to think that joining in international efforts makes a more stable world. But in fact, the world is so big and complex that such efforts only make a minimal difference with little benefit to the US. Therefore, it is not really in the US interest to participate in them.
Agree	38.7
Disagree	58.3
Don't Know	2.9
Refused	0.1
Organization: PIPA Date: October 1999

I am going to read you several arguments that are sometimes made about America's role in the world. For each one, tell me if you agree or disagree with the argument. Because the world is so interconnected today, the US (United States) should participate in UN (United Nations) efforts to maintain peace, protect human rights and promote economic development. Such efforts serve US interests because they help create a more stable world that is less apt to have wars and is more conducive to trade and other US interests. Do you agree or disagree?
Agree	79%
Disagree	18
Don't know/Refused	3
Organization: PIPA Date: June 1996

21. When thinking about things like UN peacekeeping, whenever it can, the US should look beyond its own self interest and do what's best for the world as a while, because in the long run this will probably help make the kind of world that is best for the US. Do you agree or disagree?
Agree	75%
Disagree	23%
Don't know	2%
Organization: PIPA Date: July 1994

Please tell me if you agree or disagree with the following statement: If we do not contribute to the UN (United Nations) peacekeeping operations, it may not affect US (United States) interests immediately, but if we allow things like genocide or the mass killings of civilians to go unaddressed, it is more apt to spread and create instability in the world so that eventually our interests would be affected. Do you agree or disagree? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?

Agree strongly	50%
Agree somewhat	28
Disagree somewhat	10
Disagree strongly	9
Don't know/Refused	3
Organization: PIPA Date: June 1996

22. (I am going to read you a number of points of view on the subject of foreign aid. As I read each one please say whether you agree or disagree with it.)...The world economy is so interconnected today, that in the long run, helping third world countries to develop is in the economic interest of the US (United States). Many of these countries will become trading partners that buy our exports, so eventually our aid will off economically. Do you agree or disagree? (If agree or disagree, ask:) Would that be strongly or somewhat?
Agree strongly	29%
Agree somewhat	36
Disagree somewhat	17
Disagree strongly	15
Don't know	4
Organization: PIPA Date: November 1- 6, 2000

(The OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), which is a group of all the major industrialized countries--primarily the US (United States), Europe, and Japan--has proposed a goal of cutting hunger in half by the year 2015. Some people have proposed that these countries should commit to a joint plan for achieving this goal. I would like you to consider some points of view on this proposal. For each one please tell me if you find it convincing or unconvincing.)...Because the world is so interconnected today, reducing hunger in the world ultimately serves US interests. It creates more political stability, and by promoting economic growth helps create more markets for US exports.
Convincing	64%
Unconvincing	33
Don't know	2
Refused	1
Organization: PIPA Date: November 1- 6, 2000

23. In the years after the Korean War, the US (United States) gave billions of dollars in aid to South Korea. Some people feel that this is a good example of how we contributed to developing a country that is now an ally and a trading partner. Others feel that this aid helped South Korea take away our markets by selling low cost goods, and therefore was a mistake. Do you think it was a mistake to have given aid to South Korea?
Yes	33%
No	60
Don't know/refused	7
Organization: PIPA Date: January 1995

24. Do you support or oppose doing this to fight terrorism?....*Of the things I just read you that America could do to fight global terrorism, which do you think is most important for the country to do?
	Strongly Support	Support/Oppose	*Most important
Provide economic assistance to poor countries to prevent them from becoming terrorist havens.	29%	69/28	12%
Organization: Third Way/Penn Schoen & Berland Dates: January 30-Feburary 4, 2007

25. Now, I am going to read you a list of actions the government could take. For each one, please tell me how important that action is for protecting America and its people--extremely important, very important, somewhat important, not too important or not at all important.)... Increasing development assistance and humanitarian aid to nations in need *(Now, I am going to read you a list of actions the government might take. For each one, please tell me how important that action is to you personally--extremely important, very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not at all important.)...Increasing development assistance and humanitarian aid to nations in need
	How important?	*How personally important?
Extremely important	16%	13%
Very important	26	27
Somewhat important	45	43
Not too important	8	11
Not at all	4	5
Don't know/Refused	1	1
Organization: Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research/Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation Dates: March 3-8, 2003

26. STATEMENT: As you know there is much discussion about how much priority the US government should give to various approaches to improving US and global security. Here is a list of some approaches that the US government is trying, at least to some extent. For each one please indicate if you would like your member of Congress to get the US government to increase or decrease the priority it places on each approach. Please answer on a scale of +5 to –5, with +5 meaning that you think it should be given a much higher priority than it has now, -5 meaning that it should be given a much lower priority or not done at all, and 0 meaning that it should be given the same priority it has now. [RANDOMLY PRESENT – EACH RESPONDENT SHOULD RECEIVE 3/4 OF Q20a-q]
	-5 to -1	0	+1 to +5	Mean
Increasing airport security	10%	24%	64%	1.83
Fighting the global spread of HIV/AIDS	11	20	68	2.06
Increasing port security	4	11	83	2.98
Pressuring both Israel and the Palestinians to resolve their conflict	22	25	50	.88
Building goodwill toward the US by providing food and medical assistance to people in poor countries	14	27	57	1.38
Programs to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons by securing nuclear materials in countries of the former Soviet Union	10	17	68	2.06
Programs to stabilize countries at risk of conflict by helping them develop economically	18	21	58	1.14
Programs to promote dialogue and intercultural understanding between the US and the Muslim world	18	19	59	1.34
Working to reduce US dependence on oil	5	9	84	3.46
Working through the UN to strengthen international laws against terrorism and make sure UN members cooperate in enforcing them	13	14	71	2.16
Helping dissident groups to try to overthrow the government of Iran	39	28	28	-0.54
Building new nuclear weapons	43	29	25	-0.93
Building new types of naval destroyers	25	32	40	0.26
Building a national missile defense system	23	25	49	0.81
Coordinating with the intelligence and law enforcement agencies of other countries to track and capture members of terrorist groups	4	10	83	3.03
Programs to increase other countries’ understanding of US policies and the American people	17	22	58	1.26
Rough interrogation techniques to inflict pain on detainees who might have useful information about terrorist groups	34	24	37	-0.01
Organization: WorldPublicOpinion.org/Knowledge Networks Dates: October 6-15, 2006

27. Some people say that if people in other countries are making products that we use, this creates a moral obligation for us to make efforts to ensure that they do not have to work in harsh or unsafe conditions. Others say that it is not for us to judge what the working conditions should be in another country. Do you feel that we do or do not have a moral obligation to make efforts to ensure that workers in other countries who make products we use are not required to work in harsh or unsafe conditions?
	Jan 2004	Oct 1999
Yes, have moral obligation	74%	74%
No, don't have moral obligation	20	23
(No answer)	6	3
Organization: PIPA Dates: As noted

Do you think that as we become more involved economically with another country that we should be more concerned about the human rights in that country, or do you not feel that way?
	Jan 2004	Oct 1999
Yes, should be more concerned	73%	73%
No, should not be	25	23
(No answer)	4	4
Organization: PIPA Dates: As noted