Quarterly Update
A message from Pew Research Center President Michael Dimock · Subscribe ↗
A roadmap to the nation’s fractured political landscape
Dear readers,
Today we released the latest edition of one of Pew Research Center’s foundational projects: “Beyond Red vs. Blue: The Political Typology” and its companion quiz.
Inaugurated over 30 years ago, the political typology aims to go beyond the traditional partisan labels of Democrat and Republican by sorting Americans into cohesive, like-minded groups based on their attitudes and values. Many Americans feel they are not “that kind of Democrat” or “that kind of Republican.” Indeed, the typology study shows that beliefs vary widely within each partisan coalition, not just across them.
The 2021 typology classifies the public into nine distinct groups, including, for the first time, two distinct liberal groups within the Democratic coalition: “Progressive Left” and “Establishment Liberals.” Progressive Left, the only majority White, non-Hispanic group of Democrats, have very liberal views on virtually every issue and support far-reaching changes to address racial injustice and expand the social safety net. Establishment Liberals are in many ways just as liberal as those in Progressive Left, but they are far less persuaded of the need for sweeping change.
In the Republican coalition, intraparty disagreements center on some of the principles long associated with the GOP: an affinity for businesses and corporations, support for low taxes and opposition to abortion. Members of “Populist Right” are highly critical of major U.S. corporations, and a majority support taxing the wealthy, while many of those classified as “Ambivalent Right” favor legal abortion. Despite differences in many views and values, large shares in each of the Republican-aligned typology groups voted for Donald Trump in 2020. However, there are notable differences among these groups in views of Trump’s political future.
This year’s study also finds a significant group of “Stressed Sideliners” who do not lean toward either party but are unified primarily by their financial stress and relative disengagement more than by any cluster of values or political priorities.
At Pew Research Center, we strive for a deeper understanding of the American public in all its diversity. Going beyond blunt categories like race, ethnicity, gender or party label allows us to meet Americans where they are, and even let them lead the way.
My best wishes for a healthy holiday season,
Michael Dimock
President, Pew Research Center
Beyond red vs. blue: The political typology
Partisan polarization remains the dominant, seemingly unalterable condition of American politics. Yet the gulf that separates Republicans and Democrats sometimes obscures the divisions and diversity of views that exist within both partisan coalitions – and the fact that many Americans do not fit easily into either one.
- Take the quiz: Which typology group is your best match?
- Decoded: Behind Pew Research Center’s 2021 political typology
- GOP-oriented groups: Faith and Flag Conservatives, Committed Conservatives, Populist Right, Ambivalent Right
- Democratic-oriented groups: Progressive Left, Establishment Liberals, Democratic Mainstays, Outsider Left
- The ideological middle: Stressed Sideliners
Views of climate change around the world
In the lead-up to the COP26 summit in Glasgow, Pew Research Center released a series of surveys documenting how people in the U.S. and around the world view the issue of climate change, the measures needed to address it, and the efficacy of international efforts to stave off a global environmental crisis.
- 67% of Americans perceive a rise in extreme weather, but partisans differ over government efforts to address it
- With extreme weather events and other disasters on the rise, how well are Americans prepared?
- Americans are less concerned – but more divided – on climate change than people elsewhere
- In response to climate change, citizens in advanced economies are willing to alter how they live and work
Hispanic Americans
The United States recently celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month, which highlights the culture and history of the nation’s Latinos. Pew Research Center’s in-depth studies of the U.S. Hispanic population offer a window into the beliefs of this large and diverse group.
Global views of U.S. ‘soft power’
A survey of 17 advanced economies highlights the complexity of America’s international image. People around the world find much to admire about the United States, from its technological achievements to its pop culture. But they see many problems as well, from its health care system to the state of its democracy. For their part, Americans also see positives and negatives in their society.
- What people around the world like – and dislike – about American society and politics
- Americans differ from people in other societies over some aspects of U.S. ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ power
- More people globally see racial, ethnic discrimination as a serious problem in the U.S. than in their own society
- Americans see stronger societal conflicts than people in other advanced economies
