Views About National Identity Becoming More Inclusive in U.S., Western Europe
Significant ideological divides on issue of national identity, especially in U.S.
Embed
Attachment Info
- Views About National Identity Becoming More Inclusive in U.S., Western Europe
- Fewer now say criteria for national belonging like birthplace, religion are important
- Differing views about changing traditions, recognizing discrimination and avoiding offending others
- Americans more likely than British, Germans or French to see discrimination against Christians
- Ideological gaps on issues of tradition, offending others, seeing discrimination
- Large ideological divides on pride in country in the U.S., UK
- Focus groups in U.S., UK find that left and right see the same aspects of history through a very different lens
- Most surveyed see speaking the dominant language as critical to belonging
- Criteria for national belonging have become less strict for many, particularly Britons and Americans
- Views about national identity have shifted significantly among American moderates and liberals, and to a lesser extent, among conservatives as well
- Leavers have more restrictive view of national identity than Remainers
- Republicans have more restrictive view of national identity than Democrats
- Supporters of right-wing populist parties more likely to see criteria for belonging in their country
- Older people have stricter views on national belonging
- Rising shares say immigrants want to adopt way of life of their new country
- Larger shares say immigrants want to adopt customs, including significant shifts among those on the ideological right
- In focus groups, Republicans, Leavers stressed assimilation
- In focus groups, Democrats, Remainers highlighted benefits of multiculturalism
- Muslims and Jews seen as facing more discrimination than Christians
- In U.S., those on the right more likely to say Christians face discrimination than in UK, France, Germany
- Fewer right-wing populist party supporters say Muslims face discrimination
- Many say bigger problem is discrimination going unseen
- Younger and more educated people more concerned about discrimination
- Large ideological splits on issue of seeing discrimination in society
- Germans slightly favor being careful to avoid offense; in other publics, more say people are too easily offended
- Ideological left more concerned with avoiding offense with what they say
- Republicans, Leavers share similar views on politically correct culture but focus on different aspects
- Democrats and Remainers see positives in politically correct culture, though some worry about downsides
- Most say they are proud or a mix of proud and ashamed of their country
- Britons and Americans on the ideological right much more likely to express pride in their country
- Focus group participants in U.S. and UK cite racism, political correctness as things that make them embarrassed
- Outside of France, majorities are open to traditions changing
- Younger adults more likely to say their country will be better off if open to changing traditions
- Right-wing populist supporters in Germany, UK, France more likely than nonsupporters to say their country should stick to its traditions
- European populist party classifications
1615 L St. NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
USA
(+1) 202-419-4300 | Main
(+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax
(+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries
Research Topics
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.
Copyright 2024 Pew Research Center