A Nation at War: Combat Casualties and Public Support
Abstract
The will of the American people throughout history to sustain support for the nation's leaders and their endeavors to further U.S. interests through military means has ebbed and flowed to both extremes. September 11, 2001, left the world in shock as it helplessly observed the events of that historical day take the hearts and minds of the American people to a height of patriotism never before seen in this country. However, many now wonder whether public support for the Global War on Terrorism can be sustained in the face of rising casualties among the men and women of the U.S. armed forces. This Strategic Research Project briefly reviews U.S. leaders' role in gaining support for military action, examines Eric V. Larson's research on the impact of casualties in war on public opinion, and applies Larson's hypothesis regarding the 1991 Gulf War to the second Gulf War: Operation Iraqi Freedom. Specifically, the author uses data from the second Gulf War to test Larson's theory that support for U.S. military operations and the willingness to tolerate casualties are more accurately based on the four variables of perceived benefits, prospects for success (or progress), costs, and consensus support (or its absence) from political leaders. The evaluation supports Larson's theory. All of Larson's proposed variables have in some way shaped the path of the second Gulf War. The author concludes with observations on Larson's theories and the role of U.S. leaders in sustaining support for the nation's military operations, especially potential wars.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 19, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA478483
Entities
People
- Timothy F. Bishop
Organizations
- United States Army War College