The Polls: The European Peace Movement and Deployment of Nuclear Missiles

Abstract

ON DECEMBER 12, 1979, NATO adopted what is called the dual resolution for maintaining unity among the NATO allies. It was decided both to station 572 medium-range missiles in Western Europe and to conduct negotiations with the Soviet Union on arms control so as to obviate the need for this deployment. The peace movement, which had gained a large following as early as 1977-78 with its actions against the neutron bomb, grew into a real mass movement after this resolution. In many countries peace demonstrations have been held on an unprecedented scale and directed mainly against the deployment of new nuclear weapons in Europe. In this Polls section, a selection has been made from many public opinion polls on the stationing of cruise missiles and Pershing II missiles in Europe, on the use of nuclear weapons, and on the peace movement and the anti-nuclear weapons demonstrations. The results of these polls may vary widely, depending on question wording and sequence. The popularity in Britain of the peace movement and of the activities organized by it decreased during the first few months of 1983. In January-February 1983, 23 percent were completely opposed to the demonstrations against nuclear weapons in Britain and elsewhere in Europe; this percentage had risen to 33 by the end of April 1983 (SOC). In January 1983, 31 percent stated that the protest had made them more favorable to the campaign to prevent the deployment of cruise missiles in Britain. Early in April, after such events as a big anti-nuclear weapons demonstration at Greenham Common (April 1, 1983), this percentage had dropped to 20. The same survey (MORI, Apr. 8-9, 1983) also indicates that 54 percent had an unfavorable opinion of the women anti-nuclear protesters at Greenham Common. Women are more inclined than men to support the peace movement and its ideas, as evidenced not only by the existence of women's peace camps in Europe but also by the results here presented of opinion polls conducted in Germany,

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