Proclaiming Airpower: Air Force Narratives and American Public Opinion from 1917 to 2014

Alan J. Vick

RAND Corporation

RAND Corporation

关键词: Civil-Military Relations;    United States Air Force;    Military Aircraft;   

DOI  :  10.7249/RR1044
ISBN  :  9780833090140
RP-ID  :  RR-1044-AF

学科分类：自然科学（综合）

美国|英语

来源: RAND Corporation Published Research

【 摘 要 】

This report examines the evolution and interaction of U.S. Air Force narratives and popular attitudes toward civil and military aviation over the past century — from the "golden age" of aviation in the first half of the 20th century, when flight and airpower captured the American public's imagination, to 2014, when aviation had long since become taken for granted. The study first examines the social currency of aviation and airpower, drawing on a historical review, the frequency with which airmen appeared on the cover of Time magazine during the period, and the frequency with which airpower and aviation concepts appeared in books. It then examines Air Force narratives, including the Air Force's origin story as well as the dominant ideas uniting the organization at various points in its history. Finally, drawing on polling data from more than 50 opinion surveys conducted over the past 80 years, the study traces the evolution of the American public's attitudes toward the Air Force since 1935.