The 2024 Carnegie California Global Affairs Survey reflects Californians’ heightened concerns about ongoing conflicts and critical elections, including in the United States. It arrives at a tense moment in American democracy and during a critical election year for many of the world’s leading democracies.

Westward-looking, often aligned with their fellow Americans, and confident in U.S. global engagement, Californians would prefer that the role of their state and local leaders on the world stage be decided close to home.

The nature of global engagement by Californians is incredibly diverse. But local leaders would do well to note the significant concerns Californians have around the framework that supports such ties, including a functioning border, reliable infrastructure, and a healthy democracy.

The 2024 Carnegie California Global Affairs Survey reflects Californians’ heightened concerns about ongoing conflicts and critical elections, including in the United States. It arrives at a tense moment in American democracy and during a critical election year for many of the world’s leading democracies.

Westward-looking, often aligned with their fellow Americans, and confident in U.S. global engagement, Californians would prefer that the role of their state and local leaders on the world stage be decided close to home.

The nature of global engagement by Californians is incredibly diverse. But local leaders would do well to note the significant concerns Californians have around the framework that supports such ties, including a functioning border, reliable infrastructure, and a healthy democracy.

The innovations emerging at the frontier of artificial intelligence are poised to create historic opportunities for humanity but also raise complex policy challenges. As the epicenter of global AI innovation, California has a unique opportunity to continue supporting developments in frontier AI while addressing substantial risks that could have far-reaching consequences for the state and beyond.

On many policy issues, California’s urban centers are united. On AI, differences between the San Francisco Bay Area and the rest of state are notable.

Addressing the gap is essential to harness AI’s benefits, mitigate its risks, and ensure inclusive democratic resilience.

The innovations emerging at the frontier of artificial intelligence are poised to create historic opportunities for humanity but also raise complex policy challenges. As the epicenter of global AI innovation, California has a unique opportunity to continue supporting developments in frontier AI while addressing substantial risks that could have far-reaching consequences for the state and beyond.

On many policy issues, California’s urban centers are united. On AI, differences between the San Francisco Bay Area and the rest of state are notable.

Addressing the gap is essential to harness AI’s benefits, mitigate its risks, and ensure inclusive democratic resilience.

The hot-button topic must grapple with whether the law is meant to translate the country’s physical border into law or to define communities inside the United States.

Californians recognize the vulnerability of the state’s critical infrastructure—especially its ports.

Global cities have played a central role in the era of neoliberal economic governance, but there are several signs that this role is under strain or perhaps even coming to an end.

The hot-button topic must grapple with whether the law is meant to translate the country’s physical border into law or to define communities inside the United States.

Californians recognize the vulnerability of the state’s critical infrastructure—especially its ports.

Global cities have played a central role in the era of neoliberal economic governance, but there are several signs that this role is under strain or perhaps even coming to an end.

Increasing the impact of public engagement.

Care and forethought are needed to manage societal inequalities in community discussions.

Figuring out how to boost digital engagement is a serious question for governments seeking to work more closely with their constituents.

Increasing the impact of public engagement.

Care and forethought are needed to manage societal inequalities in community discussions.

Figuring out how to boost digital engagement is a serious question for governments seeking to work more closely with their constituents.