April 15, 2004 - An poll report by the Program on International Policy Attitudes found that Americans show a strong preference for the use of multilateral arms control, rather than military threats, to address problems of weapons proliferation – as well a growing sense preference for multilateral approaches to security in general.

While exhibiting a high level of concern about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), three-quarters of respondents said that the lesson to be learned from Pakistan’s recent arms transfers was that “the U.S. should seek to strengthen the international effort to stop the spread of nuclear weapons by giving international agencies more power to conduct intrusive inspections.” Less than a quarter said that an emphasis should be put on using military force.

A historically-high number of people – 79% of respondents – disagreed with the statement, “Since the U.S. is the most powerful nation in the world, we should go our own way in international matters, not worrying too much about whether other countries agree with us or not.” This question has been asked since 1964, and April’s poll numbers are the highest number of people that have ever disagreed.

The poll also found that support for international treaties to prevent WMD proliferation was nearly unanimous, and support for increased defense spending has slipped to its lowest level since 1992.

+ READ the full PIPA Report (PDF)

Citizens for Global Solutions Power Point
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