Politics & Policy

Nearly six-in-ten U.S. adults (59%) see a great deal of difference between the two major political parties, up from 55% just two years ago.

As democratic nations have wrestled with economic, social and geopolitical upheaval in recent years, the future of liberal democracy has come into question. Our international surveys reveal key insights into how citizens think about democratic governance.

Americans are closely divided over whether people convicted of crimes spend too much, too little or about the right amount of time in prison.

The share of Americans who say having political conversations with those they disagree with is “stressful and frustrating” has increased.

A majority of Republicans along with a smaller but substantial majority of Democrats believe in heaven, hell or some other form of afterlife.

Many experts say public online spaces will significantly improve by 2035 if reformers, big technology firms, governments and activists tackle the problems created by misinformation, disinformation and toxic discourse. Others expect continuing troubles as digital tools and forums are used to exploit people’s frailties, stoke their rage and drive them apart.

Germans and Americans have both become more skeptical of China.

Republicans and Democrats differ substantially over several sources of meaning in life, including faith, freedom, health and hobbies.

Fully 70% of U.S. adult Twitter news consumers say they have used Twitter to follow live news events, up from 59% who said this in 2015.

A minority of Twitter users produce a majority of tweets from U.S. adults, and the most active tweeters are less likely to view the tone or civility of discussions as a major problem on the site.