HIGH POINT, N.C., March 1, 2012 – Widely talked about nuclear programs that are being developed in Iran and the international tensions that development has sparked haven’t gone unnoticed in North Carolina. The HPU Poll finds that a majority of North Carolinians said Iran is currently one of the top threats within a world that they also feel is becoming increasingly more dangerous.
Greatest Threat to the United States – Open-Ended Question
Right now, what country in the world, if any, poses the greatest threat to the United States?
Iran – 42 percent
China – 21 percent
Afghanistan – 6 percent
North Korea – 3 percent
Iraq – 1 percent
Pakistan – 1 percent
Mexico – 1 percent
Russia – 1 percent
Israel – 1 percent
U.S. – 1 percent
None – 10 percent
Other – 14 percent
“When we ask North Carolinians to name the greatest current threat, a large number cite Iran without prompting,” says Martin Kifer, director of the HPU Poll. “That tells us that of the possible threats people could consider, Iran is on the minds of many people right now.”
Heard about Tensions over Iran’s Nuclear Program
How much, if anything, have you heard about recent tensions between the U.S. and Iran over Iran’s nuclear program: A lot, a little, or nothing at all?
A lot – 52 percent
A little – 38 percent
Nothing at all – 9 percent
(Don’t know/refused) – 1 percent
Considering use of Military Force to Stop Iran’s Nuclear Program
Thinking about U.S. relations with Iran, is it more important for the U.S. to stop Iran from building nuclear weapons even if it means using military force, OR avoid using military force even if Iran is then able to build nuclear weapons?
Stop Iran from building nuclear weapons – 56 percent
Avoid using military force – 30 percent
(Don’t know/refused) – 14 percent
“Taking military action is always a difficult and sensitive subject,” Kifer adds. “But a majority of North Carolinians feel like they have heard a lot about Iran’s nuclear program. When given the choice between use of military force or allowing Iran to develop more nuclear weapons, they are willing to consider using force. This underscores the seriousness with which North Carolinians are viewing recent developments in the U.S. relationship with Iran.”
Active Role in World Affairs for U.S.
Do you think it will be best for the future of the country if we take an active part in world affairs, or if we stay out of world affairs?
Active part – 56 percent
Stay out – 36 percent
(Don’t know/refused) – 8 percent
Increasingly Dangerous World
Thinking about current U.S. relations with the rest of the world, would you say that the world is becoming safer or more dangerous for the U.S. and the American people?
More dangerous – 74 percent
Safer – 19 percent
(Don’t know/refused) – 7 percent
“North Carolinians do not want the U.S. to withdraw from what they see as an increasingly volatile world,” says Kifer. “A majority seek an on-going active U.S. role in world affairs.”
The High Point University Survey Research Center fielded the survey from Feb.19-23 and Feb. 25-28. The responses came from 384 adults with landline and cellular telephones in North Carolina selected by a Random Digit Dial (RDD) method giving the survey a margin of sampling error of approximately 5 percentage points. For smaller subsamples the margin of sampling error is larger. In addition to sampling error, factors such as question wording and other methodological choices in conducting survey research can introduce additional error into the findings of opinion polls.
Further results and methodological details from the survey and can be found at the Survey Research Center website, http://src.highpoint.edu/, or from Dr. Martin Kifer, the center’s director, at [email protected] or 336-841-9333.
At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people.℠ HPU, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution with over 4,200 undergraduate and graduate students at campuses in High Point and Winston-Salem. It is ranked by US News and World Report at No. 3 among Regional Colleges in the South. Parade Magazine lists HPU in the top 25 private schools in the nation. HPU was selected in the 2010-2011 list of “Colleges of Distinction,” as well as one of the top green schools in the country by the Sierra Club. The university offers 44 undergraduate majors, 40 undergraduate minors and 10 graduate degree programs. It is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference. Visit High Point University on the Web at highpoint.edu.
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Pam Haynes
Communication Specialist
336-841-9055
[email protected]