American Knowledge and Ignorance In Comparative Perspective

Abstract

How does foreign affairs knowledge in America compare cross-nationally? Are Americans really as ignorant as commentators and scholars suggest? Despite the interest in the topic, there are surprisingly few serious works of scholarship that consider how the American public compares cross-nationally. In an attempt to fill this gap in the literature, this thesis does four things. Firstly, it employs a new method for analyzing foreign affairs knowledge cross-nationally (namely, extracting "don't know" responses from relevant questions in a global public opinion survey). Secondly, it considers the structure of foreign affairs knowledge and ignorance. Thirdly, in order to understand American knowledge and ignorance in its global context, this thesis considers what Americans know, and how that compares to knowledge levels across 24 other nations. Finally, it explores knowledge and ignorance in reference to theories on what influences the 'breadth and depth of citizen's political information, as well as adding two new explanatory variables; economic and social globalization. In so doing, this thesis aims to challenge current assumptions about the nature and level of ignorance within the US and add to the debate on public knowledge about foreign affairs.