POUGHKEEPSIE- As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, a new national poll suggests Americans are reflecting on the country’s history with a mix of concern, pride, and hope.
According to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll, nearly half of Americans believe the nation has moved far away from the principles and ideals on which it was founded. Even so, a slim majority still believes the country’s best days lie ahead.
The survey, conducted June 8-11 among 1,340 adults nationwide, found that 47 percent of respondents believe America has moved “far away” from its founding principles, while another 36 percent said it has moved “somewhat away.” Only 16 percent said the nation still reflects those ideals.
The findings represent a shift from the country’s bicentennial in 1976, when fewer Americans believed the nation had strayed so far from its founding values.
Americans also expressed mixed emotions as the nation prepares to celebrate its semi-quincentennial. Thirty-two percent said they feel worried about the country’s direction, while 23 percent said they are hopeful. Another 22 percent described themselves as proud, and 22 percent said they feel frustrated.
Political affiliation played a significant role in those responses. Republicans were most likely to say they feel proud of the country, while Democrats and independents were more likely to say they are worried.
Overall, 65 percent of Americans said they are proud to be an American, although levels of pride varied sharply by party. More than nine in 10 Republicans described themselves as proud, compared with 61 percent of independents and 45 percent of Democrats.
When asked what best defines being an American, more than one-third of respondents chose “freedom” or “liberty.” Patriotism and national pride ranked second, while constitutional rights and diversity received fewer mentions.
Despite concerns about the country’s direction, 53 percent of Americans said they believe the nation’s best days are still ahead. Republicans were the most optimistic, while Democrats were nearly evenly divided over whether America’s brightest days are in the future or the past.
The poll also found widespread concern about the nation’s political climate. Eighty-two percent of respondents said they believe there is a serious threat to the future of American democracy, an increase from 78 percent in a similar survey conducted in February.
Perhaps more troubling, 37 percent of Americans either agreed or strongly agreed that violence may be necessary to get the country back on track, an increase from last fall’s survey. However, nearly two-thirds said they disagreed with that statement.
Americans also expressed concern about historical knowledge. Eighty-four percent said Americans know too little about the nation’s history, while only 10 percent said people know the right amount.
Looking ahead to the nation’s 300th anniversary, most respondents were not optimistic about future generations. Fifty-nine percent said they lack confidence that Americans in the future will be better off than people today, while 40 percent said they believe future generations will enjoy a brighter future.
Younger adults were generally more optimistic than older Americans about the future, and men expressed more confidence than women that future generations will be better off.
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