2001-09-26-皮尤-Military_Action_A_Higher_Priority_Than_Homeland_Defense_21页_196kb

Summary of Pew Research Center's Post-Sept. 11 Survey

Key Findings

• Public Opinion on Military Action: By a 44%-33% margin, Americans prioritize military action to destroy global terrorist networks over building homeland defenses. However, 57% view preventing future attacks as more important than avenging the Sept. 11 attacks. Only 39% express very confidence in military success, compared to 61% before the Gulf War.

• Demographic Variations: Republicans and Southerners show higher confidence in military action (89% of Republicans) and support for prioritizing offense. Democrats, women, and minorities express lower confidence. Men are more confident overall.

• Motivations and Views: Prevention (57%) is favored over punishment (22%) as the primary goal of military actions. Groups with less education (e.g., high school dropouts) show higher confidence in military success. Economic perceptions show modest declines in financial optimism since the attacks, with women experiencing larger drops.

• National Unity and Support: Approval for President Bush peaks at 86%, and satisfaction with national conditions increases to 57%, despite economic concerns and fears of new attacks. Strong bipartisan support for military action, but partisan divides on national satisfaction and perceived U.S. responsibility in the attacks.

• Concerns About Future Terrorism: About 53% of Americans worry about future attacks, with minorities, women, and Northeast residents most concerned. Fewer Americans trust the U.S. military's ability to defeat terrorism (39% very confident) than in past conflicts.

Context and Significance

• Conducted September 21-25, 2001, this poll captures public sentiment amid heightened security concerns. Findings highlight persistent divisions based on demographics and evolving attitudes on terrorism response compared to historical contexts like the Gulf War.