STUDY | 6th Survey of Perceptions on Foreign Policy and Security
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The first annual survey by AthenaLab emerged as a somewhat unusual measurement tool, as the polls conducted at that time in Chile asked little or nothing about defense and even less about international issues. In fact, in 2019 we received some criticism for inquiring about “national interests” or even linking “national security with foreign policy.”
However, today we witness various polls seeking to understand perceptions on these topics, the importance and significance of which we have always been certain. Without security, there can be no development or possible well-being. In an interdependent world, threats or decisions that seem distant quickly have internal repercussions.
If we want to observe a significant pattern behind the responses to our 2025 survey, it is precisely a concern for security at all levels. In addition to the persistent focus on drug trafficking and border vulnerabilities, there is spontaneous mention of El Salvador and Singapore as examples for Chile, which we suspect stems from a demand for greater order or tranquility, something those countries achieve in very different ways.
Certainly, in an election year, where one of the main focuses should be on serious proposals for the recovery of public space and the improvement of border protection, we decided to include among the questions measuring current issues several that are directly related to the topic, but very far from the penal populism that surrounds the environment.
Chileans were asked about the need for a permanent national security council for the state, the creation of a new force to monitor the country’s borders, or the importance assigned to the multiple tasks currently performed by Carabineros; probably, too many.
This and more is what the sixth survey addresses, which is highly anticipated by ministries, armed forces, embassies, academics, businesses, and of course, you.
Complete survey in Spanish
English version
Survey launch | Adolfo Ibáñez University
