This paper examines a range of public attitudes in West European NATO countries relating to security issues. It first discusses perceptions of the nature of the military threat facing West Europe and opinions about the U.S.-Soviet military balance. It then looks at public opinion concerning the best way of responding to the security problem. The paper focuses especially on the level of support for ... read moreNATO and for the two major commitments to NATO made in recent years -- increased defense spending and deployment of modernized long-range theater nuclear weapons in some West European countries. In addition, this paper examines the degree of support for neutralism and other alternatives to NATO. After a brief consideration of party and age differences, it concludes with a discussion of the implications for NATO and Western security in the 1980's.read less
Adler, Kenneth P. and Douglas A. Wertman. West European Security Concerns for the Eighties: Is NATO in Trouble? Paper prepared for delivery at the 1981 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Public Opinion Research at Buck Hill Falls, Pennsylvania, May 28-31, 1981.
