EPISODE NOTES

“Weapons and war do not keep us safe. Instead, we should put our money and time into programs that ensure real safety and security for everyone, like affordable health care, a just judicial system, and economic opportunities.”

Americans were asked if they agree or disagree with the above statement in a 2022 poll conducted by the American Friends Service Committee, an advocacy organization that promotes peace and social justice around the world. AFSC conducted the study for two reasons: to gauge US public opinion on cutting military spending, and to test how people would respond to different messages about why cutting the military budget is important. They found that when Americans across different groups were asked if they would support shifting Pentagon spending to domestic issues like healthcare and education, sixty percent said yes. 

Guest Beth Hallowell, Director of Research and Analytics at the American Friends Service Committee, (AFSC) helped design the Pentagon spending study, along with a 2023 study on US attitudes towards peacebuilding. In this episode, Beth shares helpful insights about how peacebuilders can be more effective when communicating to the public, and the media. 

Follow AFSC on Twitter @afsc_org.