How Would Americans Allocate Anti-Terrorism Spending? Findings from a National Survey of Attitudes about Terrorism

Abstract

U.S. residents are very concerned about terrorist attacks and they are willing to commit substantial sums to prevent further terrorist incidents, according to the results of a large national survey of the public's thoughts about terrorism. Protecting against another 9/11-style incident is essential, but American's are more concerned about protecting the food supply system and preventing the release of chemical or biologic agents in congested public areas. The survey finds that, on average, the public would allocate 13.3 percent more to protect the food supply chain and 12.0 percent more to protect against release of a toxic chemical or biologic agent than to protect against another terrorist attack using hijacked aircraft. No one would argue that decisions on the size and internal allocation of the nation's homeland security budget should be made solely on the basis of a public opinion survey, but measures of consumers' concerns about alternative terrorism actions should be considered in future budgetary decisions.