Chapter 1 > Refocused Internationalism after 9/11 > Support for Government Spending

U.S. Report - pdf version Leaders Questionnaire - pdf version Public Questionnaire - pdf version

Support for Government Spending

Many Americans are ready to put their money behind their convictions. Much larger percentages are prepared to expand government spending, especially on those programs that will help protect the homeland (see Figure 1-8). Support for increasing spending on gathering intelligence about other countries has jumped a startling 39 points to 66%. Sixty-five percent support the expansion of homeland security, a new item in 2002. Support for increased defense spending has gone up a more modest 14 points to 44%, the highest level recorded in the Chicago Council surveys and the first time a large minority approaching half favors expanded spending over either keeping defense budgets the same (38%) or cutting them back (15%).

Interestingly, Americans draw a sharp line between spending for intelligence gathering, homeland security and defense on the one hand, and military or economic aid to other nations on the other hand. The percentages supporting increased spending on those programs are much lower (10% and 14% respectively) and did not increase since 1998.

Just as Americans' new focus on terrorism and related problems has not eclipsed concern about domestic problems, so also spending preferences still reflect strong support for expanding domestic programs. In 2002 the percentages of Americans favoring increased spending on domestic programs have hardly changed from 1998, but they are still considerably higher overall than those favoring expanded international spending: 77% for expanding health care, 75% for education, 70% to combat crime, and 64% for Social Security. Excluding homeland security, the average percentage favoring increased spending on domestic programs, 72%, is almost twice that for international programs, 34%.

Arguably, homeland security is as much or more a domestic program as an international one. The strong support for it signals how after 9/11 the American focus on security has a strong domestic dimension.