Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Many in U.S., Western Europe Say Their Political System Needs Major Reform
In Germany and France, belief that elected officials care has risen since 2018
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- Many in U.S., Western Europe Say Their Political System Needs Major Reform
- Big majorities in France and the U.S. say their political system needs dramatic change
- Americans more likely than others to say most politicians are corrupt
- Trust in government up significantly in Germany, France, UK since 2017
- Citizen assemblies and referendums are popular ideas in all four countries
- Nearly half of Germans trust their government a lot
- Trust in government up among supporters of all parties in France and Germany, but not in UK, U.S.
- In UK, differing views about trust in government
- Trust in government tied to views of economic situation
- Majorities in Germany, UK and France satisfied with functioning of democracy
- Satisfaction with democracy is up in Germany, UK, France – but not U.S.
- In France, Germany and the UK, satisfaction with democracy has increased among supporters of most major parties; not so in the U.S.
- Satisfaction with democracy tied to views of how government handled COVID-19 in France, Germany and UK
- Majorities in France and the U.S. say their political system needs dramatic change
- Those who do not trust the government see more need for political system reform
- Outside of Germany, many say elected officials don’t care about views of ordinary people
- In Germany and France, belief that elected officials care has risen since 2018
- Americans more likely than French, British or Germans to say politicians are corrupt
- Except in Germany, younger people more likely to say politicians are corrupt
- Publics largely split on whether ordinary people can influence the government
- About three-quarters or more think it is important for the government to create citizen assemblies
- Ideological left in France and UK are more favorable toward citizen assemblies
- Appetite for systemic change in politics tied to more favorable views of citizen assemblies
- Most think citizens should get a vote on key issues
- Those with lower incomes think voters should decide key issues
- Populist party supporters see referendums more favorably than nonsupporters