Public mood: nuclear weapons and the USSR

Journal Article · · Foreign Aff.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5948841

Yankelovich, D; Doble, J

The 1984 election offers candidates and the electorate a chance to reduce the risk of nuclear war because of a growing awareness that conventional rules of attack and response are now too dangerous. Public opinion surveys show that Americans now think we could neither win nor survive a nuclear exchange and that they no longer view the Soviets in black and white terms. This suggests that the public is ready to accept more far-reaching arms control agreements. An analysis of public opinion finds that the majority opposes communism, but would be non-assertive in dealing with the Soviets. Their opinions are contradictory in having both negative and positive views, which suggests a more pragmatic approach to foreign policy. The evidence from these surveys supports a move away from reliance on nuclear weapons.

• OSTI ID: 5948841
• Journal Information: Foreign Aff.; (United States), Journal Name: Foreign Aff.; (United States) Vol. 63:1; ISSN FRNAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
ASIA
EASTERN EUROPE
EUROPE
FOREIGN POLICY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
PUBLIC OPINION
PUBLIC POLICY
USSR
WARFARE
WEAPONS