INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT AND OPINION CHANGE IN NEW ZEALAND

Conflict between groups, including nations, seemingly leadsto solidarity among the people in each collectivity. Testingthis proposition at the international level is difficult owingto methodological problems of data gathering. This paper reportsupon the impact of an international controversy upon nationalopinion consolidation. After the New Zealand government bannednuclear-capable ships from the country, the United States retaliatedthrough public denunciation of this action and mild sanctions.Poll information suggests that, as a result of this dispute,New Zealanders put aside their preexisting political and socialdifferences on the issue of nuclear weapons in their countryand rallied behind their government. Over time, however, thisconsolidation effect shows signs of disintegration: social and,especially, political cleavages have begun again to discriminateopinion on the question of nuclear weapons in New Zealand.