Journal Article - Journal of Politics
Antinormative Messaging, Group Cues, and the Nuclear Ban Treaty
Abstract
What types of foreign policy cues are most likely to turn public opinion against a popular emerging norm? Since 2017, the US government has sought to discredit the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and its nuclear nonpossession norm among the largely prodisarmament American public. We fielded a national US survey experiment (N=1,219) to evaluate the effects of these elite cues as well as social group cues on public opinion. Our study thus offers one of the first experimental assessments of public attitudes toward nuclear disarmament. We find that both negative government messages and group cues can shift attitudes. Direct exposure to official rhetoric—particularly substantive security and institutional critiques—most effectively increases opposition to the norm. Yet, we observe that all cues have little effect on respondents' existing opposition to nuclear arms. The American population may support eventually eliminating nuclear weapons, but majority backing for immediate disarmament appears far from assured.
Want to Read More?
The full text of this publication is available via Journal of Politics.
For more information on this publication:
Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation:
Herzog, Stephen, Jonathon Baron, and Rebecca Davis Gibbons. "Antinormative Messaging, Group Cues, and the Nuclear Ban Treaty." Journal of Politics, vol. 84, no. 1 (January 2022): 591 – 596.
- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
Journal Article
- Journal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament
Japanese Public Opinion, Political Persuasion, and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
Analysis & Opinions
- The Washington Post
75 Years after Hiroshima, Here are 4 Things to Know about Nuclear Disarmament Efforts
Journal Article
- Energy Research & Social Science
Public Opinion on Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Weapons: The Attitudinal Nexus in the United States
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Analysis & Opinions
- The Sunday Times
China is Using Every Trick for World Domination
Paper
- Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Attacking Artificial Intelligence: AI’s Security Vulnerability and What Policymakers Can Do About It
Analysis & Opinions
- Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
NATO’s Concept for Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA)
Abstract
What types of foreign policy cues are most likely to turn public opinion against a popular emerging norm? Since 2017, the US government has sought to discredit the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and its nuclear nonpossession norm among the largely prodisarmament American public. We fielded a national US survey experiment (N=1,219) to evaluate the effects of these elite cues as well as social group cues on public opinion. Our study thus offers one of the first experimental assessments of public attitudes toward nuclear disarmament. We find that both negative government messages and group cues can shift attitudes. Direct exposure to official rhetoric—particularly substantive security and institutional critiques—most effectively increases opposition to the norm. Yet, we observe that all cues have little effect on respondents' existing opposition to nuclear arms. The American population may support eventually eliminating nuclear weapons, but majority backing for immediate disarmament appears far from assured.
Want to Read More?
The full text of this publication is available via Journal of Politics.Herzog, Stephen, Jonathon Baron, and Rebecca Davis Gibbons. "Antinormative Messaging, Group Cues, and the Nuclear Ban Treaty." Journal of Politics, vol. 84, no. 1 (January 2022): 591 – 596.
- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
Journal Article - Journal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament
Japanese Public Opinion, Political Persuasion, and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
Analysis & Opinions - The Washington Post
75 Years after Hiroshima, Here are 4 Things to Know about Nuclear Disarmament Efforts
Journal Article - Energy Research & Social Science
Public Opinion on Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Weapons: The Attitudinal Nexus in the United States
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Analysis & Opinions - The Sunday Times
China is Using Every Trick for World Domination
Paper - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Attacking Artificial Intelligence: AI’s Security Vulnerability and What Policymakers Can Do About It
Analysis & Opinions - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
NATO’s Concept for Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA)