In a joint research project at the Institute of Political Science at the University of St. Gallen (HSG), Dr Tobias Risse and Dr Christoph Steinert are investigating which factors influence attitudes towards arms exports in European democracies. To this end, survey experiments are being conducted with members of the German Bundestag, members of the British House of Commons and representative samples of the German and British population. The research project focuses particularly on the question of whether and to what extent there are systematic differences in attitudes towards arms exports between MPs and the average population in Germany and the UK. It also examines which factors influence judgements on arms exports and which characteristics of recipient countries lead to support or rejection of arms exports. The research project contributes to our understanding of attitudes towards arms exports in European democracies and sheds light on discrepancies in attitudes towards foreign policy issues between the population and elites.
The research project is financed by the "Green Box" grant from the HSG's Basic Research Fund and by funds from the Chair of International Relations of Prof James Davis.
Dr Tobias Risse is a postdoctoral researcher at the Chair of International Relations of Prof James W. Davis. His research focuses on the links between armed conflict, armament and international arms control and has been published in the Journal of Peace Research and in Conflict Management and Peace Science.
Dr Christoph Steinert is a postdoctoral researcher at the Chair of Comparative Politics of Prof Tina Freyburg. His research focuses on state repression and international human rights institutions. His research has been published in International Studies Quarterly and Journal of Conflict Resolution.
Postdoctoral researcher