Views about size of government among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who would rather have…

Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201465%29%2%3%12,206
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services

Views about size of government among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by religious group

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who would rather have…

Religious traditionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Catholic59%36%2%3%2,385
Evangelical Protestant76%20%2%3%4,563
Historically Black Protestant31%61%3%4%585
Jehovah's Witness31%46%3%19%140
Jewish59%37%2%2%188
Mainline Protestant72%22%2%4%2,013
Mormon86%11%1%1%382
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")56%39%3%3%1,520
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are ages…

Views about size of government18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services12%34%32%22%8,295
Bigger government; more services23%38%25%14%2,992
Depends6%39%35%20%289
Don't know13%33%30%25%349
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Generational cohort among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…

Views about size of governmentYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Smaller government; fewer services7%10%29%39%14%1%8,295
Bigger government; more services13%17%30%29%9%1%2,992
Depends3%9%33%41%12%2%289
Don't know5%13%28%36%16%2%349
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Gender composition among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…

Views about size of governmentMenWomenSample size
Smaller government; fewer services56%44%8,496
Bigger government; more services42%58%3,053
Depends49%51%294
Don't know38%62%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who identify as…

Views about size of governmentWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services85%5%1%6%3%8,332
Bigger government; more services46%21%5%24%4%3,020
Depends63%13%2%15%8%289
Don't know68%14%1%10%6%353
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Immigrant status among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…

Views about size of governmentImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Smaller government; fewer services6%8%86%8,436
Bigger government; more services25%9%66%2,996
Depends14%9%77%292
Don't know14%5%81%353
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Income distribution among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who have a household income of…

Views about size of governmentLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Smaller government; fewer services22%20%34%24%7,415
Bigger government; more services47%19%21%13%2,704
Depends36%22%27%14%238
Don't know35%20%31%14%275
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Educational distribution among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who have completed…

Views about size of governmentHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Smaller government; fewer services34%35%20%11%8,448
Bigger government; more services48%30%13%9%3,035
Depends37%40%15%8%290
Don't know46%38%9%7%359
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Marital status among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…

Views about size of governmentMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services65%4%10%6%15%8,456
Bigger government; more services43%8%15%6%28%3,041
Depends58%6%15%9%12%291
Don't know55%6%13%11%16%359
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Parent of children under 18 among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…

Views about size of governmentParentsNon-parentsSample size
Smaller government; fewer services30%70%8,458
Bigger government; more services33%67%3,041
Depends29%71%292
Don't know30%70%360
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say they…

Views about size of governmentBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
Smaller government; fewer services79%13%3%1%4%1%8,496
Bigger government; more services69%18%4%1%7%1%3,053
Depends75%12%5%1%5%1%294
Don't know76%15%4%1%2%2%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say religion is…

Views about size of governmentVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services69%19%6%5%1%8,496
Bigger government; more services64%21%7%8%< 1%3,053
Depends68%18%6%8%1%294
Don't know74%15%6%3%1%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Attendance at religious services among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who attend religious services…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services52%28%20%< 1%8,496
Bigger government; more services43%33%24%< 1%3,053
Depends42%36%20%1%294
Don't know52%22%24%2%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of prayer among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who pray…

Views about size of governmentAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services69%13%4%12%1%8,496
Bigger government; more services64%14%5%17%1%3,053
Depends71%14%3%11%1%294
Don't know73%11%3%11%2%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who attend prayer group…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services37%11%8%43%1%8,496
Bigger government; more services31%11%10%48%1%3,053
Depends32%8%7%51%1%294
Don't know40%5%8%45%2%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of meditation among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who meditate…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services45%7%3%42%2%8,496
Bigger government; more services45%8%4%41%2%3,053
Depends51%8%2%37%1%294
Don't know52%7%2%33%6%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services70%12%7%10%1%8,496
Bigger government; more services64%13%9%13%2%3,053
Depends70%11%7%11%2%294
Don't know76%8%6%8%3%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services48%16%12%23%1%8,496
Bigger government; more services44%16%12%25%2%3,053
Depends53%12%10%21%5%294
Don't know50%11%10%26%4%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Views about size of governmentReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services54%6%33%4%2%8,496
Bigger government; more services43%10%36%10%2%3,053
Depends44%7%35%7%7%294
Don't know50%6%31%5%8%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who read scripture…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services53%10%7%30%1%8,496
Bigger government; more services43%12%8%37%1%3,053
Depends48%10%6%34%2%294
Don't know56%9%5%28%2%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Interpreting scripture among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say the holy scripture is…

Views about size of governmentWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services42%31%3%19%5%8,496
Bigger government; more services43%26%2%23%6%3,053
Depends35%19%7%23%16%294
Don't know34%25%11%17%13%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Heaven among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who …in heaven

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services80%13%8%8,496
Bigger government; more services78%17%5%3,053
Depends75%14%12%294
Don't know78%10%12%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Hell among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who …in hell

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services71%21%8%8,496
Bigger government; more services66%28%6%3,053
Depends57%25%18%294
Don't know61%27%13%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who identify as…

Views about size of governmentRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services70%13%17%8,496
Bigger government; more services21%20%58%3,053
Depends24%29%46%294
Don't know22%35%43%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Political ideology among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…

Views about size of governmentConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services65%25%7%4%8,496
Bigger government; more services29%32%30%8%3,053
Depends30%35%17%18%294
Don't know30%33%12%26%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say government aid to the poor…

Views about size of governmentDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services72%23%3%1%8,496
Bigger government; more services29%67%3%1%3,053
Depends35%48%13%5%294
Don't know34%44%10%11%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about abortion among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say abortion should be…

Views about size of governmentLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services33%64%3%8,496
Bigger government; more services52%45%4%3,053
Depends44%41%15%294
Don't know39%48%13%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about homosexuality among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say homosexuality…

Views about size of governmentShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services39%53%5%3%8,496
Bigger government; more services61%33%3%3%3,053
Depends49%36%10%6%294
Don't know35%44%8%13%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who …same-sex marriage

Views about size of governmentStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services30%63%7%8,496
Bigger government; more services52%41%7%3,053
Depends40%44%17%294
Don't know31%50%19%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about environmental regulation among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say…

Views about size of governmentStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services59%37%2%2%8,496
Bigger government; more services29%67%1%2%3,053
Depends19%62%11%8%294
Don't know28%51%9%12%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about human evolution among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about size of government

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say humans…

Views about size of governmentEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services17%25%2%51%4%8,496
Bigger government; more services29%26%2%40%3%3,053
Depends23%21%4%41%10%294
Don't know17%21%9%42%10%363
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.