Growing Partisan Divisions Over NATO and Ukraine
58% of Americans see NATO favorably, down 4 points since 2023. Democrats and Republicans are increasingly divided on the alliance and on Ukraine aid.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
58% of Americans see NATO favorably, down 4 points since 2023. Democrats and Republicans are increasingly divided on the alliance and on Ukraine aid.
We asked respondents in both countries to, in their own words, define what democracy means to them. Most commonly, people mention three broad concepts: freedom and human rights, elections and procedures, and having a voice in government.
Most say U.S. is reliable partner, and ratings for Biden are mostly positive – although down significantly from last year.
In the U.S., concerns about political corruption are especially widespread. Two-in-three Americans agree that the phrase “most politicians are corrupt” describes their country well.
Dissatisfaction with the functioning of democracy is linked to concerns about the economy, the pandemic and social divisions.
President Trump and his policies continue to receive negative reviews from people worldwide, with a lack of confidence in his leadership especially common in Western Europe. While views of the U.S. are positive overall, they vary widely among some of its key allies.
Thirty years ago, a wave of optimism swept across Europe as walls and regimes fell, and long-oppressed publics embraced open societies, open markets and a more united Europe. Three decades later, a new Pew Research Center survey finds that few people in the former Eastern Bloc regret the monumental changes of 1989-1991.
Majorities say the democratic principles tested on our survey are at least somewhat important. But often, underwhelming percentages describe democratic rights and institutions as very important.
Many Europeans say the European Union promotes peace, and most think it promotes democratic values and prosperity. But they also tend to see it as inefficient, intrusive and out of touch with citizens’ needs.
Regardless of populist sentiments, people in Western Europe tend to favor parties that reflect their own ideological orientation. With regard to policy, too, ideology continues to matter.
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