Messaging and the Bomb: Public Attitudes Toward Nuclear Proliferation

{
  "authors": [
    "Jamie Kwong"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "ctw",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "NPP",
  "programs": [
    "Nuclear Policy"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [],
  "topics": [
    "Nuclear Policy"
  ]
}

In The Media

Messaging and the Bomb: Public Attitudes Toward Nuclear Proliferation

This paper presents findings from an original survey of US public attitudes toward nuclear proliferation issues to determine what types of elite messaging, if any, impact those attitudes.

By Jamie Kwong

Published on Apr 19, 2024

The Nonproliferation Review

About the Author

Jamie Kwong

Fellow, Nuclear Policy Program

Jamie Kwong is a fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Recent Work

Research
A New Era of Nuclear-Powered Submarines Is Making Waves in Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones
- +5
  Toby Dalton, Jamie Kwong, Ryan A. Musto, …
Research
Navigating Responsible Stewardship of Nuclear-Powered Submarines
- +8
  Jamie Kwong, Toby Dalton, Stephan Frühling, …

Nuclear Policy

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary
Emissary
Chernobyl Is Still a Current Event, Forty Years Later
The 1986 incident showed that a nuclear accident anytime is a nuclear accident for all time.
Corey Hinderstein
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
What Does Nuclear Proliferation in East Asia Mean for Russia?
Troubled by the growing salience of nuclear debates in East Asia, Moscow has responded in its usual way: with condemnation and threats. But by exacerbating insecurity, Russia is forcing South Korea and Japan to consider radical security options.
James D.J. Brown
Article
Revisiting Japan’s Non-Nuclear Principles: Between a Nuclear Allergy and Umbrella
Japan’s prime minister, Takaichi Sanae, may kickstart a discussion on Japan’s non-nuclear principles.
Shizuka Kuramitsu
Commentary
Strategic Europe
Taking the Pulse: Is France’s New Nuclear Doctrine Ambitious Enough?
French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled his country’s new nuclear doctrine. Are the changes he has made enough to reassure France’s European partners in the current geopolitical context?
Rym Momtaz, ed.
Commentary
Strategic Europe
Europe on Iran: Gone with the Wind
Europe’s reaction to the war in Iran has been disunited and meek, a far cry from its previously leading role in diplomacy with Tehran. To avoid being condemned to the sidelines while escalation continues, Brussels needs to stand up for international law.
Pierre Vimont

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary

Emissary

Chernobyl Is Still a Current Event, Forty Years Later

The 1986 incident showed that a nuclear accident anytime is a nuclear accident for all time.

Corey Hinderstein

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

What Does Nuclear Proliferation in East Asia Mean for Russia?

Troubled by the growing salience of nuclear debates in East Asia, Moscow has responded in its usual way: with condemnation and threats. But by exacerbating insecurity, Russia is forcing South Korea and Japan to consider radical security options.

James D.J. Brown

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers a speech during the graduation ceremony at the National Defense Academy of Japan on March 14, 2026 in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

Article

Revisiting Japan’s Non-Nuclear Principles: Between a Nuclear Allergy and Umbrella

Japan’s prime minister, Takaichi Sanae, may kickstart a discussion on Japan’s non-nuclear principles.

Shizuka Kuramitsu

Commentary

Strategic Europe

Taking the Pulse: Is France’s New Nuclear Doctrine Ambitious Enough?

French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled his country’s new nuclear doctrine. Are the changes he has made enough to reassure France’s European partners in the current geopolitical context?

Rym Momtaz, ed.

Commentary

Strategic Europe

Europe on Iran: Gone with the Wind

Europe’s reaction to the war in Iran has been disunited and meek, a far cry from its previously leading role in diplomacy with Tehran. To avoid being condemned to the sidelines while escalation continues, Brussels needs to stand up for international law.

Pierre Vimont