Search The Council

The inaugural Chicago Council Survey was conducted in December 1974 to seek and understand the views of the public and national leaders on a series of international questions.

The 1979 Chicago Council Survey found that the American people and leaders were interested in maintaining international involvement but were also concerned about hedging and restraining foreign commitments.

The 1982 Chicago Council Survey shows important disparities between public opinion and Reagan administration policies in defense spending, arms control, foreign aid, détente, and trade policy.

The 1986 Chicago Council survey showed the desire to protect American jobs or to secure access to energy still takes priority over altruistic objectives.

The 1990 Chicago Council Survey was performed during an age of global economic competition.

The 1994 Chicago Council survey indicates that American attitudes at both public and leadership levels reflect a "pragmatic internationalism."

The 1998 Chicago Council Survey results reflect a "guarded engagement" by a largely satisfied superpower.

The 2002 Chicago Council survey made it clear that 9/11 had a profound impact on the American mood and U.S. relationships with foreign countries.

The 2006 Chicago Council survey focused on U.S. and international public opinion on the rise of China and India and its implications on foreign policy.

The 2007 Chicago Council Survey broke new ground in international public opinion research to discover commonalities in public opinion around the world.

The 2008 Chicago Council Survey focuses on attitudes about foreign policy prior to the triggering of the international financial crisis in the fall of 2008.

Recommendations for how the Obama administration and Congress can restore America’s leadership in the fight against global hunger and poverty.

The 2010 Chicago Council Survey shows that Americans remain committed to an active part in world affairs—its problems, opportunities, and key actors.

Americans want to play an active part in world affairs but are reassessing their foreign policy priorities and how they want to engage with the world.

The 2012 Chicago Council Survey tracks public opinion on US foreign policy since the September 11 attacks, and includes an assessment of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

For the first time since the question was first asked in the 1994 Chicago Council Survey, more Americans say that Asia is more important to the US than Europe.

The 2012 Chicago Council Survey on American public opinion and US foreign policy provides important context for thinking about the future of the US-Japan alliance. 

This survey, from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, reveals that Americans have grown less concerned about large numbers of immigrants coming to the U.S.

This survey shows Americans still think that the US should work on friendly engagement and strengthening ties with China.