Attitudes toward Foreign and Security Policy in Germany

The study on attitudes towards foreign and security policy in Germany was conducted by infratest dimap on behalf of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. In the survey period 15.01.2021 to 28.01.2021, 1003 eligible voters were interviewed by telephone (CATI) on the following topics: feeling of security and threat, position on foreign policy, position on climate policy, interest in security policy, importance of the Bundeswehr, future defence expenditure, basic security policy orientations, associations with the European Union, security policy cooperation, attitudes towards other states, European army, Germany´s role in international politics, European integration, satisfaction with democracy, political interest, Sunday question. Respondents were selected by a multi-stage random sample including landline and mobile phone numbers (dual-frame sample) with an over-quota of N=367 in the eastern German Flächenländer (excluding Berlin).<br>Personal sense of security; sense of threat from: worldwide military arms race, armed attack on Germany, worldwide climate change due to global warming, immigration to Germany, economic crisis in Germany, attack e.g. on power supply in Germany, spying on important data by hackers, right-wing extremist/left-wing extremist/Islamist terrorist attack in Germany, tensions between Europe and Russia or between Europe and China, xenophobia in Germany, fake news and consequences of the Corona pandemic; party preference in the next Bundestag election (Sunday question). between Europe and China, xenophobia in Germany, fake news and consequences of the Corona pandemic; party preference in the next federal election (Sunday question); opinion on foreigners´ policy with regard to easier or restricted immigration opportunities for foreigners; opinion on combating climate change vs. economic growth; interest in security and defense policy; importance of the Federal Armed Forces for Germany; opinion on the level of future defense spending; basic security policy orientations (there are situations in which it is necessary to intervene militarily in other countries, Germany should become more involved in world politics, Germany should generally stay out of international conflicts, in foreign policy issues Germany should act in concert with the USA, Germany should not act alone in foreign and security policy but only with partners); associations of various terms with the European Union (peace, security, strength in the world, prosperity); opinion on security policy cooperation with Turkey, Russia, China, the USA, France and the UK; attitude toward other states (Russia, USA/ China/ Turkey a reliable partner of Germany, Germany should have more understanding for the security interests of Russia/ the USA, China/ Turkey, the foreign and security policy of Russia/ the USA/ China/ Turkey is a threat to Germany´s security); agreement with statements on Russia (I condemn Russia´s military action in the Ukraine conflict in Crimea, NATO should have a strong military presence in Eastern Europe on the alliance border with Russia); agreement with statements on the USA (the USA should play a greater role in securing international stability, the transatlantic alliance should be strengthened); European Army: Agreement with various statements on the creation of a common European army (the EU would have more influence in the world, the EU could better respond to military threats, there would be tensions between the EU and NATO, Germany would lose too much of its political independence); opinion on Germany´s role in international politics (Germany should rather pursue an active policy and help to manage international problems, crises and conflicts vs. Germany should rather concentrate on dealing with its own problems and stay out of international problems, crises and conflicts of others); attitude toward European integration (European integration should continue and countries should grow even closer together in the European Union vs. European integration has already gone too far and countries should keep more to themselves); self-assessment of knowledge on the subject of security policy; satisfaction with democracy; political interest.