Americans are split on the principle of pre-emptive military force
Half of Americans say using military force against countries that may seriously threaten the U.S. – but have not attacked it – can often or sometimes be justified.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
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Politics
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Despite apparent coup in Zimbabwe, armed takeovers have become less common worldwide
Since the end of World War II, there have been 225 successful coups (counting the events in Zimbabwe) in countries with populations greater than 500,000, according to the Center for Systemic Peace, which maintains extensive datasets on various forms of armed conflict and political violence. Most coups occurred during the height of the Cold War, from the 1960s through the 1980s.
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How the Political Typology groups compare
Pew Research Center’s political typology sorts Americans into cohesive, like-minded groups based on their values and beliefs, as well as their partisan affiliation. Use this tool to compare the groups on key topics and their demographics.
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Prescription drug abuse increasingly seen as a major U.S. public health problem
Americans’ concerns about prescription drug abuse have risen over the past four years, with some of largest increases coming among well-educated adults.
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Americans generally positive about NAFTA, but most Republicans say it benefits Mexico more than U.S.
Most Americans say that NAFTA is good for the United States, and relatively few say that Mexico or Canada benefit more from the agreement than the U.S. does.
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Partisans Have Starkly Different Opinions About How the World Views the U.S.
Today, 68% say the U.S. is less respected by other countries than it was in the past.
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Republicans, Democrats have starkly different views on transgender issues
While eight-in-ten Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say that whether someone is a man or a woman is determined by the sex they were assigned at birth, most Democrats and Democratic leaners (64%) take the opposite view and say a person’s gender can be different from the sex they were assigned at birth.
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Views of Job Situation Improve Sharply, but Many Still Say They’re Falling Behind Financially
Currently, 50% of Americans say there are plenty of jobs available in their communities – the highest number saying that jobs are plentiful in Pew Research Center surveys dating to 2001.
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Increasing Public Concern Over North Korea’s Nuclear Capability, Intentions
As Donald Trump sets off on his visit to Asia, the public has become increasingly concerned over North Korea’s capability and its willingness to use nuclear weapons against the United States.
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Asian countries on Trump’s trip have largely positive views of U.S. but disagree on policy
While majorities on Trump’s five-country itinerary this month hold favorable views of the U.S., most disapprove of several of his signature policies.
