2005/10/01 by David L. Leal · 4 citations
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Social Sciences · #Canadian Policy and Governance #Defense, Military, and Policy Studies #Electoral Systems and Political Participation
paper · doi:10.1177/0095327x05278168
openalex publication_date 2005/10/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
This article uses a national survey of Latinos, African Americans, and Anglos (non-Hispanic whites) to test multiple hypotheses for public support of military expenditures, enlistment in the military, and overall evaluations of the military. While polls show that the military is the most respected government institution, it is less clear whether particular sectors of the contemporary public are more or less supportive—especially the growing Latino population. This is important because an ethnic gap in public opinion might lead to future difficulties in securing funding as well as volunteers. The article also examines whether factors such as gender and class are related to military support. The results show that Latinos are more likely than Anglos to encourage young people to enlist, but Latinos are less supportive of military spending. Women are also more likely than men to oppose spending, while the African American and socioeconomic status variables are not significant.