Communism, Conformity, and Civil Liberties Study, 1954

Available as

Online

Summary

This study surveyed two different samples of respondents: a cross-section national sample and a leadership sample, the latter of which included people occupying leadership positions in their commun...

This study surveyed two different samples of respondents: a cross-section national sample and a leadership sample, the latter of which included people occupying leadership positions in their communities, such as president of the bar association, mayor, chairwoman of a women's club, president of a large labor union, president of a parent-teacher association, and the chairpersons of the Democratic and Republican party committees at county level. These positions were selected according to the following criteria: they were easily identifiable, were of some influence in the community, and held some relevance to the content of the study. Both samples were interviewed using the same questionnaire. The survey examined reactions of respondents to the danger of a communist conspiracy inside and outside the United States and to the potential sacrifice of civil liberties because of the attempt by some to thwart the conspiracy. The questionnaire began with open-ended questions tapping respondents' general expectations and fears, followed by questions about their opinions on communism. The subject of an internal or external communist threat was then raised in this context. In addition, variables probed respondents' positions on issues relating to tolerance, conformity, and civil liberties. Demographic data include age, sex, race, religious preference, education, employment status, and occupation.Cf: http://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR07202.v2

Show More