Journal Article - Journal of Conflict Resolution
The Two Faces of Opposition to Chemical Weapons: Sincere Versus Insincere Norm-Holders
Abstract
Prominent research holds that the use of weapons of mass destruction is taboo. But how strong are these norms? Investigating this question among the mass public, we argue that some citizens actually support taboo policies in private but are unwilling to express counter-normative opinions openly due to fear of social sanction. These insincere norm-holders are difficult to identify empirically because they are observationally equivalent to sincere norm-holders in direct-question surveys. To overcome this challenge, we use a list design, which allows survey respondents to indirectly express sensitive opinions. The results from three list experiments show that between 10% and 17% of Americans falsify their preferences over chemical weapons use when asked directly. In an extension, we explore our framework in the realm of nuclear weapons and elite behavior. Our findings advance a specific debate on the strength of weapons taboos, while our conceptualization of insincere norm-holders and methodological application have broader implications for how scholars might think about and measure norms in international politics.
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For Academic Citation:
Blair, Christopher L. , Jonathan A Chu, and Joshua A. Schwartz. "The Two Faces of Opposition to Chemical Weapons: Sincere Versus Insincere Norm-Holders." Journal of Conflict Resolution, (2021) .
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Prominent research holds that the use of weapons of mass destruction is taboo. But how strong are these norms? Investigating this question among the mass public, we argue that some citizens actually support taboo policies in private but are unwilling to express counter-normative opinions openly due to fear of social sanction. These insincere norm-holders are difficult to identify empirically because they are observationally equivalent to sincere norm-holders in direct-question surveys. To overcome this challenge, we use a list design, which allows survey respondents to indirectly express sensitive opinions. The results from three list experiments show that between 10% and 17% of Americans falsify their preferences over chemical weapons use when asked directly. In an extension, we explore our framework in the realm of nuclear weapons and elite behavior. Our findings advance a specific debate on the strength of weapons taboos, while our conceptualization of insincere norm-holders and methodological application have broader implications for how scholars might think about and measure norms in international politics.
Want to Read More?
The full text of this publication is available via Journal of Conflict Resolution.Blair, Christopher L. , Jonathan A Chu, and Joshua A. Schwartz. "The Two Faces of Opposition to Chemical Weapons: Sincere Versus Insincere Norm-Holders." Journal of Conflict Resolution, (2021) .
- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
Journal Article - Nonproliferation Review
Gas, Norms, and Statistics: The Jury is Still Out
Announcement - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Matthew S. Meselson Honored with the 2019 Future of Life Award for BWC Role
Presentation
Disarming Syria: The Chemical Weapons Challenge
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Journal Article - Research Policy
The Relationship Between Science and Technology
Paper - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
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Paper - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
The Great Economic Rivalry: China vs the U.S.