Young Americans’ Views on U.S. Democracy
September 23, 2024 by
On September 17, the Sine Institute of Policy and Politics at American University released results of a poll that focused on the views of Americans ages 18-34. The survey was designed by the Sine Institute in partnership with Future Caucus and Close Up Foundation and was based on interviews conducted by the Generation Lab, a data intelligence company that gathers and interprets the views and behavior of young adults. While the poll does focus on the 2024 election, it also explores broader themes about how young Americans are viewing, and making sense of, U.S. democracy.
SEE: Full Results of the Poll
As the data shows, young Americans are worried about democracy and are not optimistic or hopeful when they think about the future of the United States. However, they are optimistic and hopeful when they think about their own futures.
Elsewhere in the poll results, young Americans give the government poor grades (out of a 4.0 scale) when it comes to:
- providing an opportunity for an affordable, quality college education to those who want it (1.72).
- having an economy where people can work and afford to take care of their basic needs (1.62).
- having an effective government that represents the interests of all Americans (1.61).
- having capable and trustworthy political leaders (1.47).
As the data indicates, young Americans think that political leaders do not pay enough attention to the priorities of average people, that they are too focused on winning reelection, and that they are unethical. They also indicated a desire for more compromise and a willingness to work in good faith to find solutions.
In next week’s blog post, we will explore what young people say they are looking for in political leaders.
Discussion Questions
- When you think about the future of the United States, are you more optimistic or pessimistic? Explain your reasoning.
- How closely do your views about political leaders match the views of people who were included in this poll?
- What do you prioritize in a political candidate?
Related Blog Posts
- For Young Americans, the “American Dream” Resonates Differently
- Young Americans’ Views on Politics and Political Engagement
- Young Americans’ Views on the 2024 Presidential Election
As always, we encourage you to join the discussion with your comments or questions below.
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Sources
Featured Image Credit: Sine Institute of Policy & Politics
