With growing geopolitical and economic uncertainty abroad, there is constant debate among Americans on the nation's foreign policy, especially given that domestically, the country is still struggling.
Should America send troops to the Middle East? Should America stop North Korea from further developing nuclear weapons? Should the Fed avoid raising rates aggressively because of the spillover effects it would have on emerging market economies?
These are some of the questions a superpower country like the United States of America has to ask. But, the American people seem mixed on how much of a footprint the U.S. should have abroad, especially among Democratic voters.
Based on a recent Pew Research study, Hillary Clinton voters’ views on foreign policy differ from that of Bernie Sander supporters.
“Two-thirds (66%) of Democratic and Democratic-leaning registered voters who support Clinton for the party’s presidential nomination say that world problems would be even worse without U.S. involvement; just 28% say U.S. efforts usually make things worse,” the report said.
“By contrast, Sanders supporters are divided: 49% say global problems would be even worse without the U.S. being involved, while nearly as many (45%) say U.S. efforts usually make matters worse.”
Based on the survey results, it seems Sanders supporters prefer dealing with domestic problems before having the U.S. poke its proverbial nose abroad.
“Sanders supporters also are less likely than Democratic voters who back Clinton to say that the U.S. should help other countries deal with their problems (41% vs. 52%),” Pew said. “A majority of those who prefer Sanders (54%) say that the U.S. should deal with its own problems and let other countries deal with their own problems as best they can, while 45% of Clinton supporters hold this view.”
The U.S. has also prided itself in being a military superpower. However, a majority (53%) of Clinton supporters say they wouldn’t mind if another country takes the title. Meanwhile, 49% of Sanders supporters said it “would be acceptable if another country became as militarily powerful as the U.S.”
What about efforts to dismantle extremist group ISIS? Although Democrats and Democratic-leaning registered voters (62%) would approve U.S. military action against ISIS, Clinton voters are keener on it than Sanders.
“About two-thirds (68%) of Sanders supporters are more concerned the U.S. will go too far in becoming involved in Iraq and Syria, compared with about half of Clinton supporters (53%),” Pew said.
There was one thing Clinton and Sanders supporters agreed on, and that was NOT increasing the level of defense spending.
But far more supporters of Sanders (43%) than of Clinton (25%) would like to see reductions.
Stay tuned for part 2, which will include data comparing Trump supporters’ inclinations versus the typical ones from GOP supporters.
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