Publications

Twenty years ago, Americans came together – bonded by sadness and patriotism – after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. But a review of public opinion in the two decades since finds that unity was fleeting. It also shows how support for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq was strong initially but fell over time.

54% of U.S. adults say the decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan was the right one, while 42% say it was wrong.

Six-in-ten U.S. adults say they would prefer to live in a community with larger homes with greater distances to retail stores and schools.

Republicans are critical of how major institutions, from large corporations and tech companies to universities and K-12 public schools, are affecting the U.S.

Republicans are far more likely than Democrats to say increased attention to the history of slavery and racism is bad for the country.

Among all U.S. adults, 63% favor making tuition at public colleges free, including 37% who strongly favor the proposal.

U.S. gun owners have long favored more permissive gun policies while adults who do not own guns have tended to favor more restrictive ones.

A growing share of U.S. adults say it’s a bad thing for the country that some people have personal fortunes of a billion dollars or more.

57% of Americans view voting as “a fundamental right for every adult U.S. citizen and should not be restricted in any way.”

Here’s a closer look at public opinion on the death penalty, as well as key facts about the nation’s use of capital punishment.