Are the Armed F orces understood and supported by the public?
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BRITISH SOCIAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE MILITARY AND CONTEMPORARY CONFLICT Are the Armed Forces understood and supported by the public?
description
Are the Armed F orces understood and supported by the public? . British social attitudes towards the military and contemporary conflict. British Social Attitudes Survey. 2011 BSA Survey. 3,311 responded Response rate = 54% Data collection June to Sept 2011 bsa-29.natcen.ac.uk. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Are the Armed F orces understood and supported by the public?
BRITISH SOCIAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE MILITARY
AND CONTEMPORARY CONFLICT
Are the Armed Forces understood and supported by the public?
British Social Attitudes Survey
2011 BSA Survey
3,311 responded Response rate = 54%
Data collection June to Sept 2011
bsa-29.natcen.ac.uk
Public opinion of Iraq and Afghanistan
Success of the missions
27% 30%
Perceived purposes of Iraq
Ensure Western oil supplies
26%
Make Iraq a stable country9%
Protect UK from ter-rorism supported by
Saddam15%
Make ME more stable
8%
Prevent Iraq acquiring
WoMD 18%
Help US & NATO al-lies12%
Other11%
Perceived purposes of Afghanistan
Protect the UK from terrorism
30%
Make Afghanistan a stable country
28%
Make Afghanistan a successful democ-
racy9%
Gain access to oil & mineral resources
13%
Help US & NATO al-lies13%
Other6%
British troops out now?
Options for withdrawal from Afghanistan %
As soon as possible, without conditions 35
As soon as the Afghan government can protect its territory AND prevent it from being used as a base for terrorism 34
As soon as the government in Afghanistan can protect its territory 19
As soon as Afghanistan has become a successful democracy/ AND has a successful economy 5
At a fixed future date, without conditions 4
Public opinion of the Armed Forces
Role of the media
Heroes or victims?
0
20
40
60
80
100
77
59
46
15
5851
57
24
Current personnel
Former members
Per c
ent
% A
F/ES
mor
e lik
ely
Veteran charities
Almost 2/3 knew of veteran charity or organisation
Two largest charities were the most well-known Royal British Legion & poppy charities Help for Heroes
More than 75% had bought a Poppy
Government support for veterans
physical illness/injury
mental illness/injury
0
20
40
60
80
100
29 31
7175
currently receive better health & welfare provision
should get prior-ity health & wel-fare provisionPe
r cen
t % Y
es
Who is a veteran?
Definitions %
Left Service to retire 37
Deployed on operations (not necessarily overseas) 21
Deployed overseas in a combat mission 18
Unsure 9
Left Service after four years 9
Completed basic training 3
Deployed overseas 3
Completed a minimum of one day’s service 2
The UK civil-military gap
Public support mission
Military support returning personnel
Reported hostility
0
20
40
60
80
100
33 31
2
45
69
20
Public
Armed Forces
Per c
ent %
Yes
Future role of the UK Armed Forces
%
Defending the UK against threats from other states 28
Assisting police & security forces in anti-terror operations in the UK (incl. crime, terrorism and cyber security) 24
Supporting NATO allies, taking part in UN missions 17
Humanitarian aid & disaster relief (overseas or UK) 14
Missions against terrorists abroad 9
Protecting citizens of overseas countries who are engaged in protest or dissent from attacks by their government/rulers/ removing dictators
8
Ceremonial and public duties 1
Summary
Public support UK Armed Forces but not missions
Public believe military service to have an impact on mental health outcomes
Public support priority government health & welfare services for veterans
Differences between public and military opinions may have implications for civil-military relations
Reluctance of public to support UK military action may be legacy of the Iraq and Afghanistan missions
