Can Americans be optimistic about their democracy?
Americans’ grim political mood and desire for change show up across our surveys. But despite divisions, there are hopeful signs for the future.
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Americans’ grim political mood and desire for change show up across our surveys. But despite divisions, there are hopeful signs for the future.
About six-in-ten U.S. adults (62%) say that “people being too easily offended by things others say” is a major problem in the country today.
A median of 40% of adults across 34 other countries surveyed in 2024 say U.S. democracy used to be a good example for other countries to follow.
None of the four major British political parties we asked about in our survey receive net positive ratings from the British public.
Many worldwide are dissatisfied with how democracy is working. In several high-income democracies, dissatisfaction has been on the rise since 2021.
More than 80% of Americans believe elected officials don’t care what people like them think.
More than eight-in-ten adults in Hong Kong and Taiwan say democracy is a good way to govern.
We asked over 30,000 people what would help democracy work better in their country. Key themes in their responses were addressing basic needs and improving or rebuilding the political system.
Amid growing discontent with the state of democracy globally, we asked over 30,000 people what changes would make their democracy work better.
The share of the public that supports authoritarian systems ranges from 85% in India to 8% in Sweden.
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