As the United States nears its 250th anniversary, a recent poll has provided unexpected insights into current American sentiments.
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research conducted a survey indicating a significant decline in national pride regarding the country’s history and the functionality of its democracy over the past ten years.
This poll took place during April, a time when tensions between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz were heightened following military actions by the US and Israel against Iran.
Complementary Gallup research shows that only 53 percent of US adults now express being ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ proud of their American identity—this marks the lowest level since the measurement began in 2001.
The AP-NORC findings indicate a 14 percentage point drop in pride about US democratic processes since February 2017, now reaching just 28 percent.
Similarly, pride in the military has decreased by 19 percentage points, while pride in the nation’s history has diminished by 14 points, largely influenced by Democratic respondents.
Karla Galdamez, a former history teacher from California, commented on the nation’s trajectory, stating the country has “regressed” under the Trump administration, yet finds promise in the broader progress over 250 years.
She told AP: “Despite some of the very ugly history that we have of segregation and slavery, if you look at the trajectory of the last 250 years, we’ve done nothing but get better and move toward a more egalitarian nation,” she said.
A strong divide was noted along political affiliations, with 14 percent of Democrats and 28 percent of independents saying they feel ‘extremely’ proud to be American, while 70 percent of Republicans feel the same.
Republicans also showed higher pride levels in the military, with about 90 percent expressing ‘extreme’ or ‘very’ pride compared to around 60 percent of all US adults.
Samantha Fulks, a Republican from Texas, maintains strong support for the military, regardless of her doubts about US actions in Iran.
“I still support our troops no matter what they do,” she said.
On the other hand, Matt Stafford, a centrist from Massachusetts, expressed frustration not with the country, but with the increasing political polarization.
“I love America, but our biggest problem is how we’re pushing both sides, like the left and the right, to the extremes,” he said.
The poll also highlighted differences in personal identity, with older Americans and Republicans more likely to see being American as central to their identity, whereas younger adults and Democrats were less likely to do so.
For many, racial and ethnic identity is more significant than national identity. The survey found 73 percent of Black Americans view their race as ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ integral to their identity, surpassing those who prioritize being American.
The AP-NORC poll surveyed 2,596 adults from April 16 to 20, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.