Article
Send in the Corps! The Peace Corps and the Popular Perception of the United States in Latin America
Politics & Policy
(2013)
Abstract
This article examines the role of the Peace Corps in U.S. foreign policy and specifically explores the role of the Peace Corps in improving the popular image of the United States. I empirically test the hypothesis that the presence of a Peace Corps program enhances a positive of view of the United States held by the people of that country. Using logistic regression analysis, I show that the presence of Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) in a country positively influences individuals' views toward the United States. I analyze survey research from the region of Latin America using datasets from the Latinobarometer public opinion survey. Furthermore, I present a theoretical explanation to understand how the presence of PCVs can lead to an improved perception of the United States. This explanation draws from the contact hypothesis originally proposed by Gordon Allport.
Keywords
- the peace corps,
- united states,
- latin america,
- popular perception,
- popular image of the united states,
- public opinion,
- foreign policy,
- peace corps volunteers,
- contact hypothesis
Disciplines
Publication Date
2013
DOI
10.1111/polp.12027
Citation Information
Thomas J. Nisley. "Send in the Corps! The Peace Corps and the Popular Perception of the United States in Latin America" Politics & Policy Vol. 41 Iss. 4 (2013) p. 536 - 562 ISSN: 1555-5623 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/thomas-nisley/6/