Table 2 Beliefs concerning democracy in the USA
Statement | Respondents (n = 8620) | Estimated N of adults in USA | |
|---|---|---|---|
Unweighted n | Weighted % (95% CI) | N (95% CI) (in millions) | |
Do you believe that things in this country are… | |||
Generally headed in the wrong direction | 7043 | 81.7 (80.8, 82.7) | 211.2 (208.7, 213.6) |
Generally headed in the right direction | 1486 | 18.3 (17.3, 19.2) | 47.2 (44.7, 49.6) |
Non-response | 91 | 1.2 (0.9, 1.4) | 3.0 (2.3, 3.7) |
When thinking about democracy in the USA these days, do you believe… | |||
There is a serious threat to our democracy | 6117 | 67.2 (66.1, 68.4) | 173.7 (170.7, 176.7) |
There may be a threat to our democracy, but it is not serious | 1832 | 23.6 (22.5, 24.6) | 60.9 (58.2, 63.7) |
There is no threat to our democracy | 573 | 7.8 (7.1, 8.5) | 20.1 (18.3, 21.9) |
Non-response | 98 | 1.4 (1.1, 1.7) | 3.6 (2.8, 4.4) |
How important do you think it is for the USA to remain a democracy? | |||
Not important | 145 | 2.2 (1.8, 2.6) | 5.6 (4.6, 6.6) |
Somewhat important | 510 | 7.8 (7.1, 8.5) | 20.1 (18.3, 22.0) |
Very important | 1828 | 24.1 (23.1, 25.2) | 62.4 (59.6, 65.1) |
Extremely important | 6058 | 64.7 (63.6, 65.9) | 167.2 (164.2, 170.3) |
Non-response | 79 | 1.1 (0.9, 1.4) | 2.9 (2.2, 3.7) |
Democracy is the best form of government | |||
Do not agree | 429 | 6.0 (5.4, 6.6) | 15.6 (14.0, 17.2) |
Somewhat agree | 1757 | 23.5 (22.4, 24.5) | 60.7 (57.9, 63.4) |
Strongly agree | 2678 | 31.3 (30.2, 32.4) | 80.8 (78, 83.7) |
Very strongly agree | 3642 | 37.6 (36.5, 38.7) | 97.2 (94.3, 100.1) |
Non-response | 114 | 1.6 (1.3, 2.0) | 4.1 (3.3, 5.2) |
These days, American democracy only serves the interest of the wealthy and powerful | |||
Do not agree | 2566 | 26.6 (25.6, 27.6) | 68.6 (66.0, 71.2) |
Somewhat agree | 3058 | 36.2 (35.0, 37.3) | 93.4 (90.4, 96.4) |
Strongly agree | 1638 | 20.1 (19.1, 21.1) | 51.9 (49.4, 54.4) |
Very strongly agree | 1260 | 15.9 (15.0, 16.8) | 41.0 (38.7, 43.3) |
Non-response | 98 | 1.3 (.01, 1.6) | 3.4 (2.7, 4.2) |
Having a strong leader for America is more important than having a democracy | |||
Do not agree | 5141 | 56.0 (54.8, 57.2) | 144.7 (141.6, 147.8) |
Somewhat agree | 1835 | 23.4 (22.3, 24.4) | 60.4 (57.7, 63.1) |
Strongly agree | 821 | 10.3 (9.5, 11.0) | 26.5 (24.6, 28.5) |
Very strongly agree | 702 | 8.7 (8.0, 9.4) | 22.4 (20.6, 24.2) |
Non-response | 121 | 1.7 (1.3, 2.0) | 4.3 (3.5, 5.2) |
The 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump, and Joe Biden is an illegitimate president | |||
Do not agree | 5761 | 66.2 (65.1, 67.4) | 171.1 (168.2, 174) |
Somewhat agree | 1142 | 13.7 (12.9, 14.5) | 35.4 (33.2, 37.6) |
Strongly agree | 498 | 5.9 (5.4, 6.5) | 15.3 (13.9, 16.8) |
Very strongly agree | 1083 | 12.5 (11.7, 13.2) | 32.2 (30.2, 34.2) |
Non-response | 136 | 1.7 (1.4, 2.0) | 4.3 (3.5, 5.1) |
Armed citizens should patrol polling places at election time | |||
Do not agree | 7268 | 82.2 (81.3, 83.2) | 212.4 (209.9, 214.9) |
Somewhat agree | 721 | 9.5 (8.8, 10.3) | 24.7 (22.7, 26.6) |
Strongly agree | 271 | 3.6 (3.1, 4.1) | 9.3 (8.0, 10.5) |
Very strongly agree | 226 | 2.9 (2.5, 3.4) | 7.6 (6.5, 8.7) |
Non-response | 134 | 1.7 (1.4, 2.0) | 4.4 (3.6, 5.2) |