Peace Through Strength
2018 Reagan National Defense Survey
Overview
The Reagan National Defense Survey is a public opinion poll that assists elected officials, policymakers, and key stakeholders with understanding how Americans view a wide array of defense, foreign policy, and national security matters.
Introduction to 2018 Survey Report
Thirty years have passed since President Reagan left office, but his vision for “peace through strength” continues to define the American people’s worldview.
Americans remain steadfast in their support for a strong military that both keeps the peace and advances the values of freedom and democracy abroad. Americans are not isolationists. They want America to be more engaged in the world, not less. They want America to lead, not react. They want a strong U.S. military presence overseas, not retrenchment. They believe America should act to defend freedom, prevent human rights abuses, and stand against the actions of undemocratic regimes. And they believe America should eliminate threats and prevent attacks before they materialize.
These are not the views of a country that would eschew global leadership but rather a nation where President Reagan’s “peace through strength” vision is alive and well.
2018 Reagan National Defense Survey Video
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Americans remain steadfast in their support for a strong military that both keeps the peace and advances the values of freedom and democracy abroad. Americans are not isolationists. They want America to be more engaged in the world, not less.
