Generational Succession as a Source of Foreign Policy Attitudes

Neal E. Cutler
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Neal E. Cutler: Department of Political Science and Foreign Policy Research Institute University of Pennsylvania

Journal of Peace Research, 1970, vol. 7, issue 1, 33-47

Abstract: This study analyzes generational trends in American foreign policy attitudes over the 1946-66 period. Through the secondary analysis of old public opinion polls, each of which can be sorted on the age variable, it is possible to adapt the demographer's concept of cohort analysis for the investigation of longitudinal attitude trends. While isolating the generational effects, the logic and technique of cohort analysis eliminate the maturation effects of the age variable. Eight question-sets, representing cognitions, evaluations, and policy preferences germane to foreign policy, were subjected to cohort analysis.Several identifiable generational trends were located. The historically more recent genera tional cohorts are correlated with greater salience of foreign policy, greater the expectation of war, and greater the support for various foreign policy alternatives. In general, the data support the image of historically older generations as being somewhat isolationist, in the sense of desiring minimal contact with the outside world, while the more recent generational cohorts support a multifaceted engagement with the outside world.

Date: 1970
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:joupea:v:7:y:1970:i:1:p:33-47

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