2018年-查塔姆研究所_British_Attitudes_Towards_the_UK039s_International_Priorities_40页_330kb

British Attitudes Towards the UK's International Priorities

Core Content

This document presents the findings of a Chatham House-YouGov survey conducted in July 2010, focusing on public and elite opinion in the UK regarding international priorities. The survey aimed to assess the views of both the general public and influential opinion-formers on the UK's role in the world, its foreign policy, and its relationships with key international entities and countries.

Main Points

• Survey Design and Scope:

  • The survey was conducted between 24 June and 2 July 2010.
  • It included 2,481 GB adults and 877 opinion-formers from the YouGovStone ThinkTank.
  • The survey aimed to explore differences in perspectives between the general public and elites on UK foreign policy and international relations.

• Public vs. Elite Views:

  • The general public and opinion-formers have different views on the UK's role as a great power.
  • The public favors maintaining a strong military and a large aid budget to protect national interests.
  • Opinion-formers prefer a more ethical foreign policy and a reduced military presence.

• Perceived Threats:

  • The public identifies international terrorism and nuclear proliferation (e.g., Iran and North Korea) as the greatest threats.
  • Opinion-formers are more concerned about economic threats, such as financial system collapse and energy supply disruption.

• International Relationships:

  • Both the public and opinion-formers prefer closer ties with the European Union than with the United States.
  • The EU is generally viewed more favorably by opinion-formers than by the public.
  • The public tends to have more positive views of Commonwealth countries (New Zealand, Canada, Australia) and smaller European countries (Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark).
  • The public has a more negative perception of Germany, Spain, Italy, and France, with a significant number of negative views towards France.

• Emerging Powers:

  • The public shows weak interest or negative attitudes towards emerging powers like China, Turkey, India, and Brazil.
  • Only Japan is viewed positively among these countries, and Brazil is close behind.

• Foreign Policy Priorities:

  • The majority of both groups believe the UK should seek to remain a great power with a strong military presence and a seat at the UN Security Council.
  • There is a notable divide on whether the UK should base its foreign policy on ethical considerations or pursue national interest at all costs.
  • A significant portion of the public is sceptical about climate change as a serious threat, with many believing the UK should not take actions that reduce its standard of living.
  • The public and opinion-formers are divided on replacing Trident with a new nuclear-weapons system.

• Afghanistan and Withdrawal:

  • There is strong support for withdrawing British troops from Afghanistan, with three-quarters of the public and seven out of ten opinion-formers favoring a withdrawal within the next year or two.

Key Information

• Public Preferences:

  • The public supports the BBC and British culture as tools for influencing the world.
  • They are more likely to support a larger military and overseas aid budget.
  • They are less supportive of the EU compared to opinion-formers.

• Elite Preferences:

  • Opinion-formers favor a reduced military and a greater emphasis on ethical foreign policy.
  • They are more concerned with economic threats and energy security.
  • They are more positive about the EU and less skeptical about climate change.

• International Institutions:

  • The EU has a lower reputation among the public than opinion-formers.
  • The United Nations is viewed more positively by opinion-formers than the public.
  • The IMF and G20 are generally viewed positively by both groups, though the public is more skeptical.

• Political Parties:

  • Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have different international priorities.
  • These differences may lead to more debate, especially with the implementation of spending cuts or in response to international crises.

• Climate Change and Nuclear Policy:

  • A significant minority of both groups are sceptical about climate change.
  • The majority of both groups do not favor replacing Trident with a different nuclear system.

• National Security:

  • The public and opinion-formers both agree on the importance of international security and defence, but they differ on the specific approach and level of involvement with the EU and the US.

Summary of Survey Results

• Threats:

  • Public: International terrorism (49%), nuclear proliferation (39%), energy supply interruptions (54%), climate change (44%).
  • Opinion-formers: Financial system collapse (61%), energy supply interruptions (54%).

• UK's Role as a Great Power:

  • Public: 49% support maintaining a great power status.
  • Opinion-formers: 62% support this, while 41% think the UK should no longer be considered a great power.

• Foreign Policy Approach:

  • Public: 50% support a foreign policy based on ethical considerations.
  • Opinion-formers: 35% support this, while 51% believe the UK should prioritize national interest.

• EU and US Relationship:

  • The public and opinion-formers both prefer closer ties with the EU.
  • The EU-US gap is more pronounced on issues like trade and illegal migration.

• Nuclear Policy:

  • Public: 22% support renewing the deterrent.
  • Opinion-formers: 29% support this, while 20% think the UK should give up nuclear weapons.

• Climate Change Policy:

  • Public: 50% believe the UK should minimize climate change.
  • Opinion-formers: 37% support this, while 26% are unconvinced.

Conclusion

The survey highlights a divergence in views between the general public and opinion-formers on the UK's international priorities. While the public prefers a strong military and a large aid budget, opinion-formers advocate for a more ethical and less militaristic approach. The UK's relationship with the EU is generally seen as more important than with the US, and the public has a more negative view of the EU compared to opinion-formers. The survey also reveals mixed opinions on emerging powers and climate change, suggesting that the UK's new coalition government should be aware of these differences as it formulates its foreign policy.