6th SURVEY | Perceptions on Foreign Policy and National Security (AthenaLab-IPSOS)

The first annual AthenaLab-IPSOS survey emerged as an unusual instrument of measurement, given that the surveys conducted at the time in Chile asked little or nothing about defence and even less about international affairs. In fact, in 2019 we received some criticism for asking about “national interests” or even linking “national security with foreign policy.”

However, today we are witnessing various polls seeking to glean perceptions on these issues, of whose importance and significance we have always been certain. Without security, development and well-being are not possible. And in an interdependent world, even seemingly distant threats or decisions have internal repercussions sooner rather than later.

If we wish to observe a general 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 vulnerability, there is the spontaneous mention of El Salvador and Singapore as examples for Chile, which we suspect stems from the demand for greater order or tranquility, something these countries achieve in very different ways.

Certainly, in an election year, one of the main focuses should be on serious proposals for the recovery of public space and the improvement of border protection. Among the contingency-related questions we decided to include, several touched on this issue, but were far removed from the penal populism that currently prevails.

Chileans were asked about the need for a permanent national security council for the State, the creation of a new force to protect the country’s borders, and the importance assigned to the many tasks currently performed by the Carabineros (Police) — probably too many.

These and other key topics are addressed in the sixth survey, eagerly awaited by ministries, armed forces, embassies, academics, businesses, and, of course, you.

Full report