After Defense 9 /11 Spending Spike, Fewer Back Defense Spending Spike, Growth Military defense spending
Public views on military defense spending have shifted substantially over the past quarter-century. In 1990, during George H.W. Bush’s presidency, 40% wanted to decrease defense spending and just 18% favored increasing it. By contrast, in February 2002, following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a 60% majority backed increased spending on military defense, with just 5% saying spending should be lowered.
Currently, there is no public consensus on defense spending: 32% say it should be increased, virtually unchanged from 31% two years ago. About a quarter (24%) say it should be decreased, down from 30% in 2011. And a plurality (41%) say defense spending should be kept the same.
After Defense 9 /11 Spending Spike, Fewer Back  | Defense Spending Spike, Growth  | Military defense spending  | 60  | 60  | Increase  | 40  | 40  | 29  | 32  | 24  | 20 24  | 18  | Decrease  | 2002  | 2013  | 1987  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER Feb 13-18, 2013, Q28k, Keep  | spending same not shown, 