America at 250 is Riven with Doubt and Pessimism — but Offers Glimmers of Hope
The erosion of trust in institutions is not limited to the federal government, as the survey also found significant declines in confidence in other areas. The media, for instance, has seen a 10-point drop in confidence since 2016, with 47% of respondents now saying they have very little or no confidence in it. The high-tech industry, which was once hailed as a beacon of innovation and progress, has also experienced a notable decline, with 42% of Americans expressing very little or no confidence in it.
Furthermore, the poll highlights a stark generational divide in terms of confidence in institutions. Younger adults, those under the age of 30, are significantly more likely to express low confidence in institutions, with 61% saying they have very little or no confidence in the federal government, compared to 44% of those aged 65 and older. This disparity suggests that the younger generation is increasingly disillusioned with the establishment and may be seeking alternative forms of leadership and governance.
The survey also reveals a significant partisan divide in terms of confidence in institutions. Democrats are more likely to express low confidence in institutions such as the Supreme Court and the military, while Republicans are more likely to express low confidence in institutions such as the media and the federal government. This partisan divide underscores the deep-seated polarization that exists in American society, with each side having fundamentally different views on the role and effectiveness of various institutions.
Despite these findings, the poll does offer some glimmers of hope. A significant majority of Americans, 71%, believe that the country's best days are still ahead, even if they are uncertain about the current state of the nation. This optimism suggests that, despite the many challenges facing the country, there is still a deep-seated faith in the American experiment and a belief that the country can overcome its current difficulties and emerge stronger in the future.
A notable decline in confidence is observed in various institutions, with 56% of adults now expressing low confidence in Congress, a significant increase from 48% in 2019 and 39% in 2016. The Supreme Court fares slightly better, with 31% of registered voters having a great deal or quite a bit of confidence in the justices, while 40% have very little or no confidence.
In contrast, nearly two-thirds of adults, 64%, have little or no confidence in the national news media, with only 11% expressing a great deal or quite a bit of confidence. Educational institutions, such as colleges and public schools, receive more positive assessments, with 36% and 30% of adults expressing significant confidence, respectively. However, even the military, which is typically well-regarded, has seen a 13 percentage point decline in confidence since 2016, with 60% of adults now having a great deal or quite a bit of confidence.
The poll reveals substantial partisan divides in confidence in institutions, with liberals more likely to lack faith in the federal government, Congress, and the Supreme Court, while conservatives are more likely to express no confidence in the national news media, colleges, and public schools. The high-tech industry has experienced a significant decline in public support, with 38% of adults now expressing little or no confidence, compared to 26% who have a measure of support.
Additionally, Americans' view of religious leaders has become increasingly negative, with 43% expressing little or no confidence, the highest level since 2002. The lack of trust in institutions is also eroding American pride, with only 33% of adults saying they are extremely proud to be an American, down from 70% in the years following the 9/11 attacks.
The decline in American pride has partisan and cultural dimensions, with 62% of 2024 Trump voters expressing extreme pride, compared to 12% of Democrat Kamala Harris voters. However, the sense that the country has lost its momentum is a widespread sentiment, with nearly identical shares of adults from Trump, Harris, and swing states believing the nation's best years are behind it. Despite this, a majority of Americans believe the country has done at least a fair job achieving its founding ideals, with 29% saying it has done a great deal and 41% saying it has done a fair amount.
And while Americans are clearly frustrated with the results they’ve gotten from the federal government, half of them still say the Constitution has “stood the test of time” and is capable of handling “the challenges ahead.”
To the extent that changes might be made, the remaining half are divided on how to approach that, according to the poll. Twenty-eight percent say the Constitution needs to be “thoroughly revised” to “fit present needs,” and 18% say the document is “completely outmoded” and that the U.S., sooner or later, will need “a new form of government.”
Fifty years ago, during the bicentennial year, sentiments weren’t much different. At that time, 46% were satisfied with the Constitution, according to a Roper national survey of adults, while 34% wanted major changes to the charter and 14% thought it was time to go back to the drawing board.
The Constitution has been amended only once since then, in 1992, when a 200-year-old proposal to prevent members of Congress from voting to raise their own pay, was ratified by enough states.
If the Constitution can’t be changed or replaced easily, some would like to see stronger leadership in place. But that question splits the public right down the middle — 48%-48% — with nearly half approving and nearly half saying it would be too dangerous. Half a century ago, in the shadow of the Watergate scandal, which involved the abuse of presidential power, 49% wanted stronger leadership and 44% feared that could present an intolerable risk.
The survey showed that strong majorities of Americans have common views about the values that unite the country, including liberty and equality, participating in elections and sharing customs. Perhaps more important, the majority of Americans believe more unites them than divides them.
Fifty-four percent said their view is that “most Americans share the same core values but disagree about policies and issues.” That compares to the 44% who said most Americans have “fundamentally different core values.”
McInturff said the new poll shows politicians haven’t caught up to public sentiment about working together to solve problems.
“Across the survey, there was a clear desire for Americans to come together at the individual level and a willingness to do so, even when they strongly disagree politically,” he said. “The country is waiting for its leaders and institutions to do the same with that.”
Furthermore, the poll highlights a stark generational divide in terms of confidence in institutions. Younger adults, those under the age of 30, are significantly more likely to express low confidence in institutions, with 61% saying they have very little or no confidence in the federal government, compared to 44% of those aged 65 and older. This disparity suggests that the younger generation is increasingly disillusioned with the establishment and may be seeking alternative forms of leadership and governance.
The survey also reveals a significant partisan divide in terms of confidence in institutions. Democrats are more likely to express low confidence in institutions such as the Supreme Court and the military, while Republicans are more likely to express low confidence in institutions such as the media and the federal government. This partisan divide underscores the deep-seated polarization that exists in American society, with each side having fundamentally different views on the role and effectiveness of various institutions.
Despite these findings, the poll does offer some glimmers of hope. A significant majority of Americans, 71%, believe that the country's best days are still ahead, even if they are uncertain about the current state of the nation. This optimism suggests that, despite the many challenges facing the country, there is still a deep-seated faith in the American experiment and a belief that the country can overcome its current difficulties and emerge stronger in the future.
A notable decline in confidence is observed in various institutions, with 56% of adults now expressing low confidence in Congress, a significant increase from 48% in 2019 and 39% in 2016. The Supreme Court fares slightly better, with 31% of registered voters having a great deal or quite a bit of confidence in the justices, while 40% have very little or no confidence.
In contrast, nearly two-thirds of adults, 64%, have little or no confidence in the national news media, with only 11% expressing a great deal or quite a bit of confidence. Educational institutions, such as colleges and public schools, receive more positive assessments, with 36% and 30% of adults expressing significant confidence, respectively. However, even the military, which is typically well-regarded, has seen a 13 percentage point decline in confidence since 2016, with 60% of adults now having a great deal or quite a bit of confidence.
The poll reveals substantial partisan divides in confidence in institutions, with liberals more likely to lack faith in the federal government, Congress, and the Supreme Court, while conservatives are more likely to express no confidence in the national news media, colleges, and public schools. The high-tech industry has experienced a significant decline in public support, with 38% of adults now expressing little or no confidence, compared to 26% who have a measure of support.
Additionally, Americans' view of religious leaders has become increasingly negative, with 43% expressing little or no confidence, the highest level since 2002. The lack of trust in institutions is also eroding American pride, with only 33% of adults saying they are extremely proud to be an American, down from 70% in the years following the 9/11 attacks.
The decline in American pride has partisan and cultural dimensions, with 62% of 2024 Trump voters expressing extreme pride, compared to 12% of Democrat Kamala Harris voters. However, the sense that the country has lost its momentum is a widespread sentiment, with nearly identical shares of adults from Trump, Harris, and swing states believing the nation's best years are behind it. Despite this, a majority of Americans believe the country has done at least a fair job achieving its founding ideals, with 29% saying it has done a great deal and 41% saying it has done a fair amount.
And while Americans are clearly frustrated with the results they’ve gotten from the federal government, half of them still say the Constitution has “stood the test of time” and is capable of handling “the challenges ahead.”
To the extent that changes might be made, the remaining half are divided on how to approach that, according to the poll. Twenty-eight percent say the Constitution needs to be “thoroughly revised” to “fit present needs,” and 18% say the document is “completely outmoded” and that the U.S., sooner or later, will need “a new form of government.”
Fifty years ago, during the bicentennial year, sentiments weren’t much different. At that time, 46% were satisfied with the Constitution, according to a Roper national survey of adults, while 34% wanted major changes to the charter and 14% thought it was time to go back to the drawing board.
The Constitution has been amended only once since then, in 1992, when a 200-year-old proposal to prevent members of Congress from voting to raise their own pay, was ratified by enough states.
If the Constitution can’t be changed or replaced easily, some would like to see stronger leadership in place. But that question splits the public right down the middle — 48%-48% — with nearly half approving and nearly half saying it would be too dangerous. Half a century ago, in the shadow of the Watergate scandal, which involved the abuse of presidential power, 49% wanted stronger leadership and 44% feared that could present an intolerable risk.
The survey showed that strong majorities of Americans have common views about the values that unite the country, including liberty and equality, participating in elections and sharing customs. Perhaps more important, the majority of Americans believe more unites them than divides them.
Fifty-four percent said their view is that “most Americans share the same core values but disagree about policies and issues.” That compares to the 44% who said most Americans have “fundamentally different core values.”
McInturff said the new poll shows politicians haven’t caught up to public sentiment about working together to solve problems.
“Across the survey, there was a clear desire for Americans to come together at the individual level and a willingness to do so, even when they strongly disagree politically,” he said. “The country is waiting for its leaders and institutions to do the same with that.”
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