As is so often the case with big Pew Research Center studies, their
latest annual survey of political values and core attitudes (which they've been doing for 20 years) has way too many interesting tidbits for me to discuss them all. Here are a few.
--Anti-government sentiment has declined steadily since it peaked in
1994/1995, which of course is when the anti-government conservatives
gained power in the federal government. Seems that people haven't liked
it as much in practice as in concept.
--Self-identification as "Democrat" remains incredibly steady, right at
33% of the population at almost all times (dipping only to 30% in '95
and 31% immediately post-9/11). Self-identification as "Republican"
fluctuates more, generally between 27 and 31 percent, but has plummeted
since 2004 (never mind the GOP's inflated 2002 zenith.) Independents
"leaning" toward Dem (I/D, below) or Rep (I/R below) has generally
stayed pretty close over time, but has also veered significantly in the
last few years.
2004 2007
Dem. 33% 33%
I/D 14% 17%
I/R 12% 11%
Rep. 29% 25%
--As I've discussed elsewhere, the GOP appears to be shrinking to
include only those who hold certain beliefs, and the overall numbers of
people who hold those beliefs are shrinking. This shrinking number of
Republicans thus hold views that are increasingly out of whack not just
with Democrats, but with Independents (including Independents who were
formally Republicans.) Just 28% of Independents say they are satisfied
with the way the country is going, compared with 58% of Republicans.
71% of Independents think the government should guarantee food and
shelter for all, compared with 47% of Republicans. 46% of Independents
thing the best way to achieve peace is through military strength,
compared with 72% of Republicans. Similar gaps exist in religious and
social values, and all of these gaps are widening rapidly -- not as a
fluctuation, but as a steady change in attitudes for all but the
Republicans.
--As I've also argued, this gap is even more marked among core
conservative Republicans, who have come to dominate the party platform
as the party sheds its more moderate members. On issues like the
minimum wage, environment, assistance for the poor, affirmative action,
size of government, attitude toward the UN, immigration, and others,
the GOP has boldly placed itself on the opposite side from a growing
majority of mainstream Americans -- and the Presidential nomination
process, dominated by conservatives, will likely serve to reinforce the
gap.
--Young adults, age 18-29, have very tolerant social attitudes (94%
approve of inter-racial dating, for example), and a much more positive
view of government than the older generations. Unfortunately, they also
have worse attitudes about voting and participation.