Answers to a Poll: Let's Talk

A large number of Americans generally accept President Reagan's view of the Soviet regime, but they have doubts about the wisdom of his Administration's policies. While they approve of the President's assertive military approach, they believe he should put more emphasis on negotiations. They see the need to reduce the danger of nuclear war as the No. 1 problem confronting the nation, and they do not feel Reagan is handling that problem well. They want Reagan to meet Soviet Leader Yuri Andropov in a summit.

These are the main findings that emerge from a public opinion poll conducted for TIME by Yankelovich, Skelly & White, Inc.* The responses are sometimes contradictory, for they are the views of a people divided over how best to confront the ominous changes in the relations between East and West. Overall, the emphasis is on making a greater effort for peace.

More than half the people questioned think that U.S. relations with the U.S.S.R. have deteriorated within the past year. While 50% say their own views of the Soviets have remained about the same, 45% report that their opinion of Moscow has worsened. Yet Americans consistently regard the Soviet people with considerable warmth. Fully 88% agree that "the Russian people could be our friends if their leaders had a different attitude."

Andropov seems to have had little effect on these Americans; 67% endorse the view that "he is no better or worse than any of the others. They are all part of the same system." Despite this, however, 60% think Andropov "knows that the Soviet Union is in just as much danger as the United States, and therefore is willing to negotiate an arms-control agreement."

Americans apparently believe the danger of war is increasing. Though only 30% think the Soviets have become stronger than the U.S. (43% thought that in June), 61% say they "worry a lot" about the Soviet military buildup, and 60% say the same about the possibility of nuclear war. Both figures have risen nearly 10 points since June.

A remarkable number of those worriers expect to see their nightmares come true. Fully 49% foresee "some chance" of nuclear war in Europe within the next five years, and 17% see "a good chance."

Though the Soviets are the main cause of these anxieties, a surprising number of Americans see fault on both sides. More than three-quarters endorse the proposition that "the U.S. has to accept some of the blame for the misunderstandings that have plagued U.S.-Soviet relations." In assessing Reagan's handling of various problems, only 26% credit him with doing a good job on avoiding war. That is his lowest rating on any major issue. Says Opinion Analyst Daniel Yankelovich: "Reagan has proved that he can be tough, but he has not yet proved that he can be a peacemaker. It is unlikely that this issue will escape bitter and partisan debate in an election year."

The responses are replete with contradictions: 54% agree that every sign of Soviet influence must be contained, "with military force, if necessary, whatever the risk." But even larger majorities recognize that "we do not have the power to contain Soviet influence everywhere in the world" (79%) and that a "military containment policy is what got us into trouble in Viet Nam" (83%). And 93% agree that "picking a fight is too dangerous in a nuclear world" and that "we should be thinking in terms of peaceful solutions." As for who should negotiate and when, 76% favor a meeting between Reagan and Andropov now.

* The findings are based on a telephone survey of 1,000 registered voters made from Dec. 6 to Dec. 8. The potential sampling error is plus or minus 3%. When these results are compared with the results of previous polls, the potential sampling error is plus or minus 4.5%.