An Informed Public: The Best Defense

National security has long been measured by military prowess, technological abilities, and economic resilience. What's oftentimes overlooked is the power of an informed public to strengthen national security. By investing in public education and committing to transparent communication, the government can promote a culture that places a greater value on civic responsibility and national resilience. The 21st century is plagued by misinformation and a lack of trust in government officials and operations. This problem significantly undermines homeland security and needs to be addressed not only for security purposes but also to restore faith in government and leadership.

Trust in government has long seen swings depending on which party controls the Oval Office. However, overall trust has swung to all-time lows in recent years, headlined by a record low 9% of Democrats who say they trust the government to do what is right at least most of the time (Pew Research). To put this stark decline in perspective during President Johnson’s term, Pew Research had Democrats' trust at 80% and Republicans at 73% (Pew Research). This concerning lack of government trust can’t be attributed to one single moment, policy, or scandal. Instead, it is birthed from years of increasing political polarization, lack of transparency, and a rise in misinformation and disinformation. 

This issue is exacerbated by the average American citizen’s limited knowledge and understanding of foreign policy and global affairs; it's an issue that needs to be at the top of the priority list rather than the back burner. In a survey of more than 2,000 adult Americans, 7 out of every 10 answered that world events impact their lives, yet only 1 in every 5 was able to correctly answer 70% or higher of the questions asked pertaining to international affairs (CFR). Even more concerning is that 12% of respondents answered less than 30% of the questions correctly, speaking volumes to the widespread lack of foreign affairs knowledge amongst American society (CFR). 

To safely navigate the complex and dangerous information landscape, American citizens require a stronger foundation of knowledge than ever before. The consequences of an uninformed public are vast: vulnerability to false information, increased social division, lower civic engagement, and greater susceptibility to foreign influence are just a few of the problems Americans are facing. The future of the United States depends on more than military might; it requires citizens who can think critically about global affairs, recognize misinformation, and make a strong contribution to civil discourse.

Education belongs at the forefront of the minds of those in politics and national security; investing in the youth has a return and will propel the nation forward. The typical K-12 education system lacks any courses that cover foreign policy or the intelligence community. There is a major need for new AP course offerings, revitalized civics programs, and a monetarily backed push for a deeper understanding of global affairs from TK- University. The stronger emphasis on global affairs in the classroom from a young age will encourage students to recognize how these events impact their communities and daily lives, inspiring them to stay informed.

The burden doesn’t land exclusively on citizen learning; institutions bear the responsibility of making every effort to answer questions and be as transparent as possible with the citizens whom they represent and protect. The government needs to acknowledge the distrust, rather than treat it as a partisan divide, and meet Americans in the middle, with accessible and timely information. The future of security will depend less on secrecy and more on a nation’s ability to build and maintain public trust and cultivate knowledgeable citizens. 

Luc Harper is an undergraduate Legal Studies major at the University of Southern California, where he is also pursuing a minor in International Relations. He interned with the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) in Spring 2026 and plans to pursue a career in homeland security. 

This article was submitted to the Security and Democracy Forum’s Václav Havel Emerging Voices in Democracy Writing Competition and was selected for an Honorable Mention.

Sources:

Relations, Council on Foreign. “U.S. Adults’ Knowledge About The World.” Council on Foreign Relations, 25 Oct. 2019, www.cfr.org/reports/us-adults-knowledge-about-world.

Bell, Peter. “Public Trust in Government: 1958-2025.” Pew Research Center, 5 Dec. 2025, www.pewresearch.org/politics/2025/12/04/public-trust-in-government-1958-2025.