International Institutions

Americans also show strong support for the US working through international institutions. When presented, in October 2006, two statements on methods for dealing with international problems like terrorism and the environment, 69% agreed that to address such problems "it will be increasingly necessary for the US to work through international institutions," while only 23% agreed with the one that argued that it is better for the US to act on its own because "international institutions are slow and bureaucratic, and often used as places for other countries to criticize and block the US," (WPO/PIPA). This majority has grown steadily since October 1999, when 56% agreed with the former statement.[6]

Americans also show a readiness for the US to abide by the decisions of international institutions, even when they go against the US. When the Chicago Council asked in June 2006, "If another country files a complaint with the World Trade Organization and it rules against the U.S., as a general rule, should the U.S. (United States) comply with that decision or not?" 73% said that the US should comply. (The Chicago Council asked this question in June 2004 and June 2002, and WPO/PIPA in January 2004 and October 1999, with support for compliance increasing steadily.) [7]

Americans are particularly supportive of working through the United Nations. Numerous polls show overwhelming majorities supporting the existence of the UN and US participation in it. [See United Nations: General Attitudes Towards the UN]

The UN plays a very central role in Americans' thinking about the legitimacy of its using military force. In the event that it is necessary for the US to use military force, whenever possible, a strong majority prefers to act through the UN. A plurality even prefers acting through the UN over acting through NATO. Except when it comes to acting in self-defense, Americans are quite resistant to using military force without UN approval. [See United Nations: The United Nations and the Use of Military Force]

Americans show strong support for strengthening international institutions-something that could create greater pressures and constraints on US action. For example in June 2002, the Chicago Council asked about the option of strengthening a number of international institutions. Though the question mentioned that some people "say that this would only create bigger, unwieldy bureaucracies," majorities favored strengthening the World Health Organization (80%), the United Nations (77%), the World Trade Organization (63%), and the World Court (56%).[8]

When Americans are asked about enforcement mechanisms for international treaties that would apply to all signatory countries, this can get a positive majority, while vague questions about general compliance may not. For example, an August 2004 National Opinion Research Center survey found no clear response to such controversial statements as "International organizations are taking away too much power from the American government." Only 34% agreed with the statement, while 31% disagreed and 30% neither agreed nor disagreed. Similarly, when given the statement, "In general, America should follow the decisions of international organizations to which it belongs, even if the government does not agree with them," respondents were nearly evenly divided among agreement, disagreement, or indifference.[8a] However, when NORC asked about the ability of international organizations to enforce compliance with their rulings on certain issues like environmental pollution, a clear majority (60%) agreed that "international bodies should have the right to enforce solutions" for certain problems, like environmental pollution, while just 17% disagreed. Giving a concrete circumstance where an international body might override national government generates more support than blanket US government compliance with international organizations' rulings.[8b]

Numerous polls have found that Americans would like the UN to be stronger. Only a small minority are concerned that a stronger UN might compromise US sovereignty. Even some proposals for giving the UN the power to tax receive majority support. [See United Nations: General Attitudes Towards the UN]

A strong majority is even ready to support international intervention in the internal affairs of countries, especially when atrocities are being committed or civilians are suffering as a result of war. [See Globalization: International Intervention in the Internal Affairs of States]

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