Seventy two per cent of Americans believe U.S. democracy used to be a good example but has not been in recent years. Another eight per cent say U.S. democracy has never been a good example for other countries to follow, according to a Pew Research Center survey. This reflects a significant decline in the perceived value of American democracy both domestically and internationally.
GENERATIONAL DIVIDES
Relatively few Americans overall see the nation’s democracy as a good example for other countries. However, adults aged 50 and older are more likely than those under 50 to hold this view. Younger adults are more inclined to say American democracy has never been a good example (11% vs. 4%).
POLITICAL DIVIDES
Political affiliation also influences perceptions. Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents are somewhat more likely than Republicans and Republican leaners to view U.S. democracy as a good example (22% vs. 17%). This is a near reversal from February 2021, when 24% of Republicans and 16% of Democrats saw U.S. democracy as a good example.
VOTER STATUS
Opinions also differ by voter status. Among registered voters, 21% see U.S. democracy as a good example, compared with 13% of those not registered to vote. Registered voters are also more likely to respond to this question.
GLOBAL PERCEPTIONS OF U.S. DEMOCRACY
Variations by Country
Globally, views of American democracy vary significantly by country. In Canada and Japan, around two-thirds of adults (67% and 65%, respectively) say U.S. democracy used to be a good example. In contrast, only 12% in Bangladesh, 18% in Ghana, and 19% in India hold this view, though many in Bangladesh and India do not offer an opinion.
Elsewhere, large shares of the public believe U.S. democracy has never been a good example. About half of adults in Turkey (52%) and 45% in Tunisia share this sentiment.
Generational Differences Globally
Like in the U.S., younger people in other countries are often more likely than their elders to say American democracy has never been a good example. For instance, in Greece, 54% of adults under 35 say this, compared with 34% of those 50 and older. Notable age gaps are also present in Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
In several other countries, the pattern is reversed. Older adults in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Singapore, and Turkey are more likely than younger people to say American democracy has never been a good example.
