Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Many in U.S., Western Europe Say Their Political System Needs Major Reform
Satisfaction with democracy is up in Germany, UK, France – but not U.S.
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- Many in U.S., Western Europe Say Their Political System Needs Major Reform
- Big majorities in France and the U.S. say their political system needs dramatic change
- Americans more likely than others to say most politicians are corrupt
- Trust in government up significantly in Germany, France, UK since 2017
- Citizen assemblies and referendums are popular ideas in all four countries
- Nearly half of Germans trust their government a lot
- Trust in government up among supporters of all parties in France and Germany, but not in UK, U.S.
- In UK, differing views about trust in government
- Trust in government tied to views of economic situation
- Majorities in Germany, UK and France satisfied with functioning of democracy
- Satisfaction with democracy is up in Germany, UK, France – but not U.S.
- In France, Germany and the UK, satisfaction with democracy has increased among supporters of most major parties; not so in the U.S.
- Satisfaction with democracy tied to views of how government handled COVID-19 in France, Germany and UK
- Majorities in France and the U.S. say their political system needs dramatic change
- Those who do not trust the government see more need for political system reform
- Outside of Germany, many say elected officials don’t care about views of ordinary people
- In Germany and France, belief that elected officials care has risen since 2018
- Americans more likely than French, British or Germans to say politicians are corrupt
- Except in Germany, younger people more likely to say politicians are corrupt
- Publics largely split on whether ordinary people can influence the government
- About three-quarters or more think it is important for the government to create citizen assemblies
- Ideological left in France and UK are more favorable toward citizen assemblies
- Appetite for systemic change in politics tied to more favorable views of citizen assemblies
- Most think citizens should get a vote on key issues
- Those with lower incomes think voters should decide key issues
- Populist party supporters see referendums more favorably than nonsupporters