As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a majority of Americans say the United States is falling short of its founding ideals and express growing concerns about the state of democracy, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.
The survey found 61% of Americans do not believe the country is living up to the Declaration’s promise that all people are created equal and entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, while only 35% believe it is. The poll also found 57% think democracy in the United States is not working, up from 49% who felt that way in a March 2024 Quinnipiac poll.
Views varied sharply by political affiliation. Republicans largely said the country is living up to its founding ideals and that democracy is working, while Democrats and independents overwhelmingly disagreed. Younger adults were also more likely than older Americans to say democracy is not functioning properly.
Despite those concerns, Americans remain optimistic about the nation’s future. Half of respondents said America’s best days are still ahead, compared to 41% who believe the country’s best days are behind it. Nearly seven in 10 Americans also said they do not believe democracy will end during their lifetime.
The poll found 73% of Americans consider themselves proud Americans, though pride varied significantly by age. While 91% of respondents age 65 and older described themselves as proud Americans, that figure fell to 56% among adults ages 18 to 34. The survey also found Americans nearly evenly divided on discussing politics, with 47% saying they are generally willing to talk with people who hold opposing views and 49% saying they tend to avoid such conversations.
The Quinnipiac University poll surveyed 1,316 adults nationwide from May 14-18 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.
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