A recent poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that despite political polarization in the United States, there is broad agreement among Americans on core values that define the nation. About 9 in 10 adults consider the right to vote, equal protection under the law, and privacy extremely or very important, while 84% feel the same way about freedom of religion. Only small variances were found between Republicans and Democrats, with Republicans placing more importance on the right to bear arms. This consensus is notable in a time of extreme partisanship and heightened concerns over potential violence during a volatile presidential election year.
However, while there is agreement on fundamental values, only about 3 in 10 Americans believe that the nation’s democracy is functioning well. About half consider the U.S. a poorly functioning democracy, while 14% do not believe the U.S. is a democracy at all. Experts suggest that the disconnect between shared values and discontent with the government’s functioning is a result of political leaders not reflecting the electorate’s views and behaving in a more polarized manner. Political scientist Lilliana Mason notes that most Americans are moderate but have been riled up to dislike those from the other party culturally, racially, and religiously.
The poll also revealed varying beliefs on what constitutes American values. Democrats are more likely to view the ability to come to the U.S. to escape violence or find economic opportunities as a core American characteristic, while Republicans place more importance on a culture grounded in Christian values. Some citizens, like Juan Sierra, see the U.S. as a place of opportunity and believe in the importance of democracy and freedom of religion. On the other hand, Susan Johnson expresses concerns about border security despite valuing the U.S. as a refuge for those in need, and stresses the importance of spirituality in the nation’s identity.
Younger Americans are less likely than older generations to view the U.S. as a well-functioning democracy and to believe certain characteristics are essential to the country’s identity. Some, like 21-year-old Republican Palakjot Singh, feel there is a lack of communication and debate between people with different viewpoints, contributing to a perception of dysfunctional democracy. Others, such as Howard Lavine, recognize the hyper partisanship of recent years and how younger generations have different experiences and references that shape their views on democracy.
Despite broad agreement on the importance of rights and freedoms, some Americans, like retired Air Force veteran Joe Lagle and engineer Mike Maloy, express concerns about erosion of these rights due to intolerance and corporate influence. Maloy, a Democrat, points to issues like restricted choice in elections as evidence that the U.S. is not truly a functioning democracy. Overall, the poll highlights both shared beliefs and divisions among Americans regarding the core values that define the nation and the functioning of its democracy.
