Does supporting President Trump signal distinctive foreign policy views? We analyze this possibility.
Republican Primary Voters & Activists: Using data from 2016 ANES survey respondents and the new State Convention Delegate Study, we compare foreign policy preferences between Trump supporters and other Republicans.
Our findings reveal clear differences: Key Findings:
- Trump supporters exhibit stronger preference for status-threat enhancing policies (e.g., interventionism)
- Compared to establishment-conservative voters/delegates, their stance appears more confrontational towards other nations
Why It Matters?: We demonstrate that the influential 'status threat' model traditionally applied domestically can also explain foreign policy preferences on the right. These findings suggest status threat concerns may be a significant source of internal Republican Party conflict.
