Perceptions on NATO and Defence Policy. Public Opinion in the UK, France, Germany and the United States and Security Elite Views in the UK

Abstract

Key Findings: • There is very strong support for NATO among the UK public, and even more so among UK security elites. • Both the UK public and UK security elites have favourable feelings towards international organisations (NATO, the United Nations, and the European Union). However, positive views are higher for security elites, particularly regarding NATO. • A majority of the UK public and security elites favour the UK participating in European defence integration, particularly if such efforts occur under the direction of NATO. • Both the UK public and UK security elites support multilateralism and unilateralism and reject isolationism (elites do so significantly more than members of the public). • On some (but not all) foreign policy and security issues, there are significant divisions between those who support Brexit and those who do not. • Attitudes of the UK public towards NATO are remarkably similar to those in France, Germany, and the United States. • Foreign policy attitudes of the UK public are similar to those in France and Germany, although they are more supportive of taking unilateral action.