Politics and Values in a 51%-48% Nation
Summary of Findings This report is an excerpt from chapter one of the book Trends 2005, produced by the Pew Research Center. Public attitudes on national security are now much more strongly associated with partisan affiliation than they were in the late 1990s. A comprehensive study of long-term public values finds that beliefs about national […]
News Audiences Increasingly Politicized
Despite tumultuous events abroad, the public’s news habits have been relatively stable over the past two years. Yet modest growth has continued in two important areas online news and cable news. Regarding the latter, the expanding audience for the Fox News Channel stands out. Since 2000, the number of Americans who regularly watch Fox […]
Global Gender Gaps
By Nicole Speulda and Mary McIntosh
Democratic Candidates Face Southern Voters
Southern Democrats More Culturally Conservative, Not So Different Otherwise
A Year of Contention at Home and Abroad
2003 Year-end Report
Americans and Canadians
The North American Not-so-odd Couple
Global Gender Gaps
Women Like Their Lives Better
Confidence in Country’s Course at Lowest Ebb Since Bush Took Office
Summary of Findings Confidence in the state of the nation took a dramatic plunge over the course of January. A national survey of 1,000 Americans conducted Jan. 22-29 finds just 34% of the public satisfied and 58% dissatisfied with the way things are going in the country. The survey, largely completed before President Bush’s Jan. […]
Situation Normal… Almost
2002 Year-end Report
Optimism Reigns, Technology Plays Key Role
Introduction and Summary Americans anticipate many perils in the next century, but none of them, no matter how grave, can dim the public’s positive view of the future. Despite consensus forecasts of natural disasters, environmental calamities and international terrorism, Americans are near unanimous in their confidence that life will get better for themselves, their families […]
Technology Triumphs, Morality Falters
Introduction and Summary Americans see the 20th century as a time of great economic, social and technological progress. As individuals, as families, as members of various social and demographic groups, nearly two-thirds of Americans say they have improved their circumstances since the 1950s, and even larger numbers see economic and social gains for many segments […]
Pew Values Update: American Social Beliefs 1997 – 1987
Introduction and Summary Americans continue to express a strong sense of individualism. They believe their destiny is in their own hands and that hard work will be rewarded. But they also believe that society should level the playing field so that everyone has an equal chance to get ahead. The public credits business for much […]
Conservative Opinions Not Underestimated, But Racial Hostility Missed
Introduction and Summary A unique survey research experiment finds that public opinion polls, as they are typically conducted, do not understate conservative opinions or support for the Republican Party. Conservative critics of the polls have charged that these surveys are politically biased. A methodological study by the Pew Research Center finds little evidence of this, […]
The People, the Press & Politics
Report Summary Reflecting a dramatically changed environment in America and the world, the voter typology which Times Mirror created in 1987 has been modified to make it more responsive to the new values and attitudes that affect voter behavior in 1994. We present it as “The People, The Press and Politics: The New Political Landscape.” […]
The Vocal Minority In American Politics
Report Summary American public opinion is being distorted and exaggerated by the voices that dominate the airwaves of talk radio, clog the White House switchboard when a Zoe Baird stumbles, and respond to call-in polls. In the current environment, these new voices of public opinion can caricature discontent with American political institutions, rather than genuinely […]
The People, The Press & Politics 1990
Seen through the Times Mirror Center for the People & the Press’ political typology of 1990, the American electorate presents a disquieting picture of political gridlock. Despite the personal popularity of President Bush, cynicism toward the political system in general is growing as the public in unprecedented numbers associates Republicans with wealth and greed, […]
The People, the Press & Politics
Report Summary There are 11 distinct groups in the American electorate — 10 that vote in varying degrees, and one that does not vote at all. How Americans vote is a much more complex process than previously defined. There have been many attempts to analyze political attitudes in this country. Some analysts have focused on […]
