Interesting research: What does the American Public Want

[boracay]

Just found an interesting research: What Kind of Foreign Policy Does the American Public Want? (University of Maryland; oct.2006). In short:

[ QUOTE ]

Seven out of ten (71%) Americans favor congressmen who will pursue a major change in foreign policy.







60% of Americans think the way the current administration has been conducting US foreign policy has increased the likelihood of terrorist attacks against the US.







78% of Americans think international goodwill towards the US has decreased and 87% say international goodwill is important.







Voters are calling for a sea change in U.S. foreign policy. They want less emphasis on military force, and more on soft power.







All of the approaches that majorities want to emphasize fall within the category of soft power: Large majorities want to place greater emphasis on efforts to address humanitarian problems and promote economic development (59%), working through U.N. to strengthen int. laws against terrorism (71%), diplomacy programs to promote dialogue and intercultural understanding (59%), programs to stabilize countries at risk of conflict by helping them develop economically (58%), etc.







All of the methods that receive less than 50% support fall in the general category of hard power: building a national defense system (49%), rough interrogation techniques to inflict pain on detainees who might have useful information about terrorist groups (37%), helping dissident groups to try to overthrow the government of Iran (25%), etc.







76% want deep cuts in military funding (they would cut defense spending for 36% in average).







Only 9% prefer the candidate who said, “as the sole remaining superpower, the United States should continue to be the preeminent world leader in solving international problems.” 16% percent prefer the candidate who said, “The United States should withdraw from most efforts to solve international problems.” These views are highly bipartisan. Support for a candidate with a cooperative approach with other countries is endorsed by 72% of voters.







Only 16% say the United States “should not worry about what others think, but just think in terms of what is best for the U.S., because the world is a rough place.”







75% say that “sometimes the U.S. should be willing to make some sacrifices if this will help the world as a whole,” while only 22% say the United States should not make such sacrifices.







Two in three (68%) agree with the statement, “For the U.S. to move away from its role as world policeman and reduce the burden of its large defense budget, the U.S. should invest in efforts to strengthen the U.N.’s ability to deal with potential conflicts in the world.”







55% say the US should not impose preconditions on the other country, such as Iran or North Korea, before entering talks.







65% agree with the statement, “When the U.S. government justifies its foreign policies to the American people, it plays on people’s fears too much.”







Americans believe that the views of the country as a whole, rather than those of a particular party, should have the most influence on international policy. Seven out of ten (71%) say the views of the majority of the American people should prevail, including three out of four Democrats (76%), six out of ten Republicans (59%) and eight out of ten Independents (80%).


[/ QUOTE ]
My questions are related to the last paragraph:
Do you think the same?
What chances are the next president wouldn't be too much ignorant about what American people want?

[GoodCallYouWin]

"Do you think the same?"

Yes.

"What chances are the next president wouldn't be too much ignorant about what American people want? "

Depends on which president obviously, basically all the candidates positions on foreign policy are known by now.

[Copernicus]

As long as the issue is couched in the term "influence" on foreign policy then yes, it should be the desires of the country as a whole and not individual parties.

If it became more than "influence", with direct voting on individual policies the extreme, then no. There are very few people who understand diplomacy, negotiations and beyond well enough to have that direct a voice.

[gsaj18]

The american public wants someone who isnt political, fresh, and engaging...This is why Barack Obama will win the 2008 Presidential Election

[Copernicus]

[ QUOTE ]
The american public wants someone who isnt political, fresh, and engaging...This is why Barack Obama will win the 2008 Presidential Election

[/ QUOTE ]

thats nice. Why dont you try responding to the topic instead of campaigning?

[GoodCallYouWin]

[ QUOTE ]
The american public wants someone who isnt political, fresh, and engaging...This is why Barack Obama will win the 2008 Presidential Election

[/ QUOTE ]

Sir, your heartfelt campaigning has converted me to the Obama campaign. How can I help my new dark master?