The Pull of Humanitarian Interventionism: Examining the Effects of Media Frames and Political Values on People’s Choice of Resolution

Authors

  • Jovan Milojevich University of California, Irvine
  • Peter Beattie Chinese University of Hong Kong

Keywords:

media framing, American exceptionalism, foreign policy values, humanitarian interventionism, cultural resonance

Abstract

The media create frames to transmit information to the public, and the frames can have varying effects on public opinion depending on how they combine with people’s values and deep-seated cultural narratives. This study examines the effects of media frames and values on people’s choice of resolution of conflict. The results show that neither values nor exposure to frames are associated with outcome. Participants overwhelmingly chose the humanitarian intervention option regardless of frame exposure and even in contrast to their own political values, demonstrating the influence of the mainstream media’s dominant, humanitarian interventionist frame on public opinion.

Author Biographies

Jovan Milojevich, University of California, Irvine

Doctoral Candidate in Political Science

Peter Beattie, Chinese University of Hong Kong

Assistant Professor, Global Political Economy

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Published

2018-01-29

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Section

Articles