A democratic call to arms : public opinion and intervention policy.

Abstract

This thesis explores the role of public opinion in intervention policy. It addresses the question of whether public opinion should be a consideration in intervention policy, whether past public opinion or support has made a difference in intervention policy, and how public attitudes towards intervention can best be gauged or predicted. The study introduces three factors with which to gauge public attitudes: fear of escalation, global/regional reaction, ~nd America's liberal value Gystem. The the~is argues that public attitudes towards actual or potential intervention policy can be measured by applying that policy to these three indicators. This argument is tested by applying the three factors to two case studies.