Most think citizens should get a vote on key issues

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March 30, 2021

Many in U.S., Western Europe Say Their Political System Needs Major Reform

Most think citizens should get a vote on key issues

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Most think citizens should get a vote on key issues

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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
Those with lower incomes think voters should decide key issues
Populist party supporters see referendums more favorably than nonsupporters

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ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

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