Political Issues

fact sheetJan 16, 2013

A History of Key Abortion Rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court

During the past 35 years, federal courts, particularly the U.S. Supreme Court, have superseded states as the driving force in crafting abortion policy.
reportJan 16, 2013

Roe v. Wade at 40: Most Oppose Overturning Abortion Decision

As the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision approaches, the public remains opposed to completely overturning the historic ruling on abortion. More than six-in-ten (63%) say they would not like to see the court completely overturn the Roe v. Wade decision.
reportJan 16, 2013

Abortion Research Package

A Pew Forum research package includes results from a new public opinion survey, a slideshow on how opinion differs among various demographic groups, a discussion of the legal issues and a summary of religious groups’ positions. POLL January 2013 Roe v. Wade at 40: Most Oppose Overturning Abortion Decision As the 40th anniversary of the […]
reportJan 15, 2013

As More Countries Regulate Wearing of Religious Symbols, European Court Decides Two UK Cases

The European Court of Human Rights today announced decisions on several high profile religious freedom cases involving the wearing of religious symbols. A recent study by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life found that regulation of religious attire has increased around the world.
reportJan 15, 2013

Public Attitudes Toward the Next Social Contract

Recent deliberations in Washington have triggered a national debate about key elements of the social safety net. Why the U.S. invests relatively less in its social safety net than many other countries reflect Americans’ conflicted, partisan and often contradictory views on fairness, inequality, the role and responsibility of government and individuals in society and the efficacy of government action.
reportJan 15, 2013

Health Online 2013

35% of U.S. adults have gone online to figure out a medical condition; of these, half followed up with a visit to a medical professional.
reportJan 14, 2013

As Religious Restrictions Rise, European Court To Decide Cases Involving Religious Symbols

On Tuesday (January 15), the European Court of Human Rights is scheduled to announce decisions on several high profile religious freedom cases involving the United Kingdom. Two complaints claim British law inadequately protects employees’ right to display symbols of their religion in the workplace. The cases involve a British Airways employee and a nurse in […]
reportJan 10, 2013

2013: A Fateful Year

The year ahead promises both challenges and opportunities for transatlantic relations. The next 12 months could prove to be consequential for both security and economic ties between Europe and the United States.
reportJan 8, 2013

As Hagel Fight Begins, Wide Partisan Differences in Support for Israel

For decades, the public has sympathized more with Israel than the Palestinians in the Middle East conflict. However, the partisan gap in sympathies, while little changed in recent years, is as large as it has been in more than three decades of polling. Discussion of the U.S.-Israeli relationship is likely to come to the fore […]
reportDec 28, 2012

What Americans Want in 2013

In 2013, downbeat domestic attitudes coupled with reticence about international engagement poses challenges for a world that still may need a strong United States.