White South Africans' Public Opinion on Foreign Policy
This report investigates the foreign policy preferences of registered white South African voters. It does so via two different questions about whether South Africa should align with the West or Russia, China and Saudi Arabia and whether South Africa should create foreign policy based on economic benefit to the country or on shared ideologies. The questions were posed in terms of a 'future coalition' in April of 2024. The Foundation would suggest that these preferences can now be translated into policy preferences for the current coalition government (Government of National Unity) that governs South Africa. The data in the report is drawn from a survey of 1 835 demographically and geographically representative registered voters conducted in April 2024. That survey had a margin of error of 7% for white South Africans.
Which statement do you agree with: 'A future coalition government aligns South Africa's foreign policy with countries like Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia, and against the West.' OR 'A future coalition government align South Africa's foreign policy with the West, and against countries like Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia.'
White South Africans by age
Which statement do you agree with: 'A future coalition government aligns South Africa's foreign policy with countries like Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia, and against the West.' OR 'A future coalition government align South Africa's foreign policy with the West, and against countries like Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia.'
White South Africans by education
Which statement do you agree with: 'A future coalition government aligns South Africa's foreign policy with countries like Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia, and against the West.' OR 'A future coalition government align South Africa's foreign policy with the West, and against countries like Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia.'
White South Africans by party affiliation
Which statement do you agree with: 'A future coalition government puts the potential economic benefits for South Africans first, when deciding which countries to align with, when it comes to foreign policy and international relations.' OR 'A future coalition government puts ideology and loyalty to the liberation first, when deciding which countries to align with, when it comes to foreign policy and international relations.'
White South Africans by age
Which statement do you agree with: 'A future coalition government puts the potential economic benefits for South Africans first, when deciding which countries to align with, when it comes to foreign policy and international relations.' OR 'A future coalition government puts ideology and loyalty to the liberation first, when deciding which countries to align with, when it comes to foreign policy and international relations.'
White South Africans by education
Which statement do you agree with: 'A future coalition government puts the potential economic benefits for South Africans first, when deciding which countries to align with, when it comes to foreign policy and international relations.' OR 'A future coalition government puts ideology and loyalty to the liberation first, when deciding which countries to align with, when it comes to foreign policy and international relations.'
White South Africans by party affiliation
TENTATIVE CONCLUSIONS
The data demonstrates that significant majorities of white South Africans across lines of age, education and party affiliation are in favour of South Africa aligning its foreign policy with the West and in forming foreign policy based on the potential economic benefits that can be derived.
