The McCourtney Institute for Democracy’s most recent Mood of the Nation Poll, conducted May 12-18, finds that three-quarters of American adults endorse democracy as the best system of government, but only 16% say they feel comfortable talking about politics with everyone.
Further, the poll finds that Americans are most inclined to self-censor at work and around family. About half indicate self-censoring their political speech around close friends.
And 1 in 8 restrict their political discussion around their spouse or romantic partner.
Most — but not all — embrace democracy as the best system of government
Three quarters of American adults indicate that they agree with the statement “democracy may have problems, but it is the best system of government,” including the 45% who agree strongly. Most other Americans neither agree nor disagree with the statement, and the remaining 8% disagree.
Six earlier Mood of the Nation polls, starting in September 2019, have included this question and the results have consistently shown that approximately half of U.S. adults agree strongly that democracy is the best system of government.
Unlike many political opinions, the proportion of Republicans and Democrats agreeing with the statement is very similar. Among independents who do not lean toward either major party, a consistently lower proportion than those identifying with the major parties believe democracy is the best system of government.
Self-censorship in discussing politics
Only 16% of American adults, about 1 in 6, say they feel comfortable talking about politics with anyone. A majority, 64%, indicate that there are some…
Read the full article here