Influences on the international affairs and defense budgets

Abstract

This thesis addresses the relative influence that public opinion and the current international situation have on the two portions of the budget dealing with national security: the defense and international affairs budgets. The purpose of the thesis is to evaluate the correlation between the two budgets and explain any variations. The hypothesis of the thesis is that international affairs budget is driven more by economic concerns of the nation and the defense budget is driven more by the national perception of the current international situation and of the external threats to the United States. This thesis also examines the debate over the influence of public opinion on public policy. It tests the assumption that public opinion influence the direction of policy, specifically the nationalsecurity budget.