Critical Analysis

1. According to the most recent data in the chart above do more Americans think that the amount of money the U.S. spends on defense is too much, too little, or just about right?

2. Identify one trend from the chart above.

3. Explain the main cause of that trend.

4. U.S. President Joe Biden’s fiscal 2022 budget request asks for $753 billion in national security funding, an increase of 1.6 percent that includes $715 billion for the Defense Department. Now that Russia has invaded Ukraine, how do you think American opinion about U.S. defense spending will change?

5. How much do you think partisanship impacts opinion about military strength?* (see below)

6. Explain your opinion about the appropriate level of American defense spending.

7. Describe the parts of the government that are involved in setting defense spending budgets.

8. What does Article II of the U.S. Constitution say about the president’s military role?

9. What does Article I of the U.S. Constitution say about the role of the Congress in defense?

10. Explain what position the following ideologies would most likely take regarding the 2019 military budget proposal:

• Socialist

• Liberal

• Conservative

• Libertarian

Learning Extension

Read the Gallup report on Americans’ views on defense spending.

Action Extension

Contact your member of congress and let them know what you think about our nation’s current level of defense spending?

Visual Extension*