Attitudes to the Army and Pro-Nuclear Activism in Three Student Groups

Abstract

The study investigated the correlates of attitudes toward the army and pro-nuclear activism among students in Australia, N. Ireland and (white) South Africa. Results showed the South Africans to be most favorably disposed toward the army and also to be most favorably disposed toward the deployment of nuclear weapons. Across the three groups those with positive attitudes toward the army were authoritarian in their attitudes, had positive attitudes to those in positions of authority and voted for right-wing parties. In addition, N. Irish militarists were Protestant, had little personal experience of political violence, and were not anxious, while South African militarists were found to be con-formers. With regard to pro-nuclear activism, the cross-cultural correlates were authoritarianism, positive attitudes to those in authority and support of right-wing parties. Pro-nuclear activists in N. Ireland were older and had not experienced political violence, while South African activists were female.