72% of Americans say the U.S. used to be a good example of democracy, but isn’t anymore
A median of 40% of adults across 34 other countries surveyed in 2024 say U.S. democracy used to be a good example for other countries to follow.
Democracy
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Fresh data delivery Saturday mornings
All
Democracy
Publications
Displaying 1-10 of ? results
Filtering by:
Reset
-
Can Americans be optimistic about their democracy?
Americans’ grim political mood and desire for change show up across our surveys. But despite divisions, there are hopeful signs for the future.
-
72% of Americans say the U.S. used to be a good example of democracy, but isn’t anymore
A median of 40% of adults across 34 other countries surveyed in 2024 say U.S. democracy used to be a good example for other countries to follow.
-
Satisfaction with democracy has declined in recent years in high-income nations
Many worldwide are dissatisfied with how democracy is working. In several high-income democracies, dissatisfaction has been on the rise since 2021.
-
More than 80% of Americans believe elected officials don’t care what people like them think
More than 80% of Americans believe elected officials don’t care what people like them think.
-
Support for democracy is strong in Hong Kong and Taiwan
More than eight-in-ten adults in Hong Kong and Taiwan say democracy is a good way to govern.
-
How People in 24 Countries Think Democracy Can Improve
We asked over 30,000 people what would help democracy work better in their country. Key themes in their responses were addressing basic needs and improving or rebuilding the political system.
-
What Can Improve Democracy?
Amid growing discontent with the state of democracy globally, we asked over 30,000 people what changes would make their democracy work better.
-
Representative Democracy Remains a Popular Ideal, but People Around the World Are Critical of How It’s Working
A 24-country survey finds a median of 59% are dissatisfied with how their democracy is functioning, and 74% think elected officials don’t care what people like them think.
-
Majorities in most countries surveyed say social media is good for democracy
Across 27 countries surveyed, people generally see social media as more of a good thing than a bad thing for democracy.
-
Bipartisan Support for Early In-Person Voting, Voter ID, Election Day National Holiday
47% of Americans favor banning groups from collecting completed ballots to return to official voting centers, while 50% oppose this. The public is also divided over removing people from voter registration lists if they have not voted recently or confirmed their registration, with slightly more opposing this (55%) than supporting it (44%).
REFINE YOUR SELECTION
DATE
Year
Date Range
Formats
Regions & Countries
Topics
Authors
Research Teams
© 2024 Pew Research Center