A Democratic Call to Arms: Public Opinion and Intervention Policy
Abstract
This thesis explores the role of public opinion in intervention policy. It addresses the questions of whether public opinion should be a consideration in intervention policy, whether past public opinion or support has made a difference in intervention policy, and how public attitudes towards intervention can best be gauged or predicted. The study introduces three factors with which to gauge public attitudes: fear of escalation, global/regional reaction, and America's liberal value system. The thesis argues that public attitudes towards actual or potential intervention policy can be measured by applying that policy to these three indicators. This argument is tested by applying the three factors to two case studies. The first is in Nicaragua during the 1983-1984 time frame. The second case is the Lebanon intervention from August 1982 through February 1984. In both of these cases, public opinion ultimately had a large impact on whether and for how long intervention was a valid policy option. The three indicators described also mirrored to varying degrees public attitudes towards actual or potential intervention policies. Finally, the role of Congress as a conduit for public opinion in the intervention decision is explored, with particular emphasis on the effects of the War Powers act of 1973.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA246549
Entities
People
- Carl R. Graham
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School