Views of smaller vs. bigger government, 1976-2015

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November 20, 2015

2. General opinions about the federal government

Views of smaller vs. bigger government, 1976-2015

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Views of smaller vs. bigger government, 1976-2015

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2. General opinions about the federal government
Widening partisan gap over size of government
Beyond party: race, age, family income gaps in views of size of government
Americans split on whether government should do more to solve problems
Majority continues to say government is wasteful and inefficient
Politics viewed less favorably as career choice than government
Continuing public frustration with government
Anger at govt higher among Reps now, was higher among Dems in Bush years
Conservative Reps, whites, older adults more likely to be angry at government
Congress, politics viewed as biggest problems with federal government
Growing share of Republicans say federal government needs ‘very major reform’
More Republicans now view government as an ‘enemy’ than a ‘friend’
About three-quarters of Americans say the government is run by big interests
Fewer conservative Republicans see a major role for government in key areas

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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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