Americans like democracy, but don't believe it or US institutions are working well, poll finds

About half of American adults believe democracy is functioning “very” or “moderately” poorly in the United States.

- by Nicholas Riccardi Associated Press

At the same time, only about one-quarter think it’s doing “very” or “moderately” well, according to a poll, marking a sharp decline from several decades ago when majorities thought democracy was generally working the way it should.

The Kettering Foundation-Gallup survey found that about two-thirds of Americans “strongly agree” or “agree” that democracy is the best form of government.

Very few disagree, with about one-third saying they don’t have an opinion. But alongside the widespread disappointment in how democracy is working, few believe the country’s leaders are committed to democratic governance or think government decisions reflect the will of the people.

Few U.S. adults doubt their fellow Americans’ commitment to strong democracy, according to the poll, but they’re less certain about their political leadership. More than 4 in 10 Americans do not believe their leaders are committed to having a strong democracy, while about 3 in 10 say they’re not sure.

Meanwhile, only about one-quarter believe that government decisions reflect what a majority of people want done or that they attempt to serve citizens’ best interests.

The poll is part of a project initiated by Gallup and the Charles F. Kettering Foundation that studies how Americans experience democracy. The report released Thursday is based on a survey of more than 20,000 U.S. adults conducted in July and August. It comes at a tumultuous time in American politics, marked by extreme polarization, rapid social change, and deep economic anxiety, and as the country prepares to commemorate next year’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Dissatisfaction with democracy’s performance across party lines