January 9, 2025
The State of Democracy, January 2025
More Than Seven in Ten Think a Threat Exists to U.S. Democracy, But...
While more than seven in ten Americans say the issues that divide the country pose a serious threat to the nation’s democracy, there has been a steep decline in the proportion of Americans who have this view. In fact, many Americans think most of the key components to the U.S. democracy are working well. There is one exception; a majority of Americans do not think that the nation’s leaders reflect the views of the public when making decisions.
- More than seven in ten Americans (73%) say that, when thinking about the issues that divide the nation, there is a serious threat to the future of the nation’s democracy. 26% believe there is not a serious threat to democracy.
- The proportion of Americans who believe that a serious threat to U.S. democracy exists is down from 87% in August of 2023. The current proportion of residents with this view is also the lowest since this question was first asked in 2021.
- Democrats (86%) are more likely than independents (74%) and Republicans (61%) to see democracy as hanging in the balance.
Is the U.S. Democracy Working Well?
When thinking about the things that are important to a strong democracy, Americans either strongly agree or agree that the following are working well:
- The right to non-violent protest in the United States: 91%
- Voting gives people like yourself some say about how government runs things: 76%
- News organizations are free to criticize political leaders: 75%
- National elections are open and fair: 69%
- People like yourself have access to the same opportunities as everyone else: 68%
- The U.S. system of checks and balances: 66%
- The rights of people with unpopular views are protected: 64%
- There is a clear separation between Church and State: 64%
- The nation’s leaders reflect the views of the public when making decisions: 47%
Of note, Republicans are more likely than Democrats and independents to say that the system of checks and balances, access to the same opportunities as everyone else, voting gives people some say about how government runs things, and a clear separation of Church and State are working well.
In contrast, Democrats are more likely than Republicans and independents to report that democratic principles, such as the ability of news organizations to criticize political leaders and the conducting of national elections that are open and fair, are working well.
Independents are more likely than Democrats and Republicans to either strongly disagree or disagree that the nation’s leaders reflect the public’s views when making decisions.
On the question of whether the nation’s leaders reflect the views of the public when making decisions, Americans who are 45 or older (61%) and white Americans (59%) are more likely than younger Americans (42%) and non-white Americans (42%) to say this aspect of democracy is not working well.
Political Conversations Often Considered Stressful
A majority of Americans (55%) say that discussing politics with people with different views is stressful and frustrating. However, 44% consider it interesting and informative. While majorities of Democrats (60%) and independents (56%) say these conversations are difficult, Republicans divide, with 50% saying they are stressful and frustrating and 49% reporting they are interesting and informative.
Methodology
This survey of U.S. adults was conducted by the Marist Poll from December 3rd through December 5th, 2024. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the United States were contacted through a multi-mode design: by phone using live interviewers, by text, or online. Results for all adults (n=3,131) are statistically significant within ±2.1 percentage points. Results for registered voters (n=2,764) are statistically significant within ±2.2 percentage points.