72 Of Americans Say The U S Used To Be A Good Example Of Democracy

Leo Migdal

-Oct 28, 2025, 5:49 PM

72 of americans say the u s used to be a good example of democracy

Ahead of the November presidential election, just 19% of Americans say democracy in the United States is a good example for other countries to follow, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in... The most common view – held by 72% of Americans – is that democracy in the U.S. used to be a good example, but has not been in recent years. Another 8% of Americans say U.S. democracy has never been a good example for other countries to follow. Americans are much more likely than people in other countries to say U.S.

democracy used to be a good example. A median of 40% of adults across 34 other countries surveyed in 2024 take this view. This Pew Research Center analysis examines views of American democracy among people in the United States and in 34 other countries we surveyed this year. For non-U.S. data, this analysis draws on nationally representative surveys of 40,566 adults conducted from Jan. 5 to May 21, 2024.

All surveys were conducted over the phone with adults in Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Surveys were conducted face-to-face in Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ghana, Hungary, India, Israel, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia and Turkey. In Australia, we used a mixed-mode probability-based online panel. A majority of US adults say American democracy is no longer a good example for other countries. This belief is especially strong among young people. Almost three-quarters of Americans, and an average of 40% of the people of the rest of the world recognize that the United States is no longer a good example of democracy.

The turning point will come on November 2nd when Americans decide whether they wish to continue as a democracy or the over two century old experiment is over. Ahead of the November presidential election, just 19% of Americans say democracy in the United States is a good example for other countries to follow, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in... The most common view – held by 72% of Americans – is that democracy in the U.S. used to be a good example, but has not been in recent years. Another 8% of Americans say U.S. democracy has never been a good example for other countries to follow.

Americans are much more likely than people in other countries to say U.S. democracy used to be a good example. A median of 40% of adults across 34 other countries surveyed in 2024 take this view. Americans’ views differ by age, party and voter status Demonstrators rally on Pennsylvania Avenue during a No Kings protest in Washington, Oct. 18, 2025.

(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Demonstrators carry a signed banner representing the U.S. Constitution as they march to the national Mall during a No Kings protest in Washington, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) A person holds an American flag upside-down during a “No Kings” protest Oct.

18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) About half of American adults believe democracy is functioning “very” or “moderately” poorly in the United States, while only about one-quarter think it’s doing “very” or “moderately” well, according to a poll, marking a... The Kettering Foundation-Gallup survey found that about two-thirds of Americans “strongly agree” or “agree” that democracy is the best form of government. Very few disagree, with about one-third saying they don’t have an opinion. But alongside the widespread disappointment in how democracy is working, few believe the country’s leaders are committed to democratic governance or think government decisions reflect the will of the people.

49% of U.S. adults say Trump is trying to exercise more presidential power than previous presidents and that this is bad for the country. Across 12 high-income countries, a median of 64% of adults say they are dissatisfied with the way their democracy is working, while a median of 35% are satisfied. Here’s a look back at 2024 through 14 of our most striking research findings. 90% of Harris voters, versus 57% of Trump voters, are confident the 2024 election will be administered well. A median of 40% of adults across 34 other countries surveyed in 2024 say U.S.

democracy used to be a good example for other countries to follow. The publics surveyed are largely skeptical that democracy in the U.S., at least in its current form, is a good example for other countries to follow. A median of four-in-ten across the 34 nations polled believe democracy in the U.S. used to be a good example for other countries to follow but has not been in recent years. Roughly one-in-five say American democracy has never been a good example. A similar share say it is currently a good model for other countries.

Around the world, adults in advanced economies are more skeptical of U.S. democracy when compared with those in middle-income countries. In 16 of 17 high-income countries surveyed, the share of people who think American democracy used to be a good example is 40% or higher. By contrast, the share holding this opinion is under 40% in 13 of 17 middle-income countries surveyed. The current state of American democracy receives some of its highest ratings in the sub-Saharan African nations included in the study. Half or more in Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria think U.S.

democracy sets a good example for other countries. A similar share of Israelis hold this opinion. On the other hand, in 18 of 34 countries surveyed, about a quarter or more of adults think that U.S. democracy has never been a good example to follow. Turkey stands out as the most critical of American democracy, with about half of adults (52%) holding this view. As Pew Research Center surveys have documented, the United States’ global reputation has shifted dramatically over the past two decades, often improving or declining depending on who is in the White House and the...

At the same time, many other factors have continued to shape how people see the U.S., including its vast cultural reach, its economic model and its divisive politics. A survey of 17 advanced economies highlights the complexity of America’s international image. People in other publics find much to admire about the U.S., but they see many problems as well. Americans, for their part, also see both strengths and weaknesses in their society. This Pew Research Center analysis focuses on views of the United States, including views of its political system and its cultural exports, among others. For this report, we conducted nationally representative surveys of 16,254 adults from March 12 to May 26, 2021, in 16 advanced economies.

All surveys were conducted over the phone with adults in Canada, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. In the U.S., we surveyed 2,596 adults from Feb. 1 to 7, 2021. Everyone who took part in the U.S. survey is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all adults have a chance of selection.

The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. This study was conducted in places where nationally representative telephone surveys are feasible. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, face-to-face interviewing is not currently possible in many parts of the world. Here are the questions used for the report, along with responses. See our methodology database for more information about the survey methods outside the U.S.

For respondents in the U.S., read more about the ATP’s methodology. Across 12 high-income countries, a median of 64% of adults say they are dissatisfied with the way their democracy is working, while a median of 35% are satisfied. 49% of U.S. adults say Trump is trying to exercise more presidential power than previous presidents and that this is bad for the country. Majorities in 20 of 25 countries surveyed say their political system needs major changes or complete reform, but many lack confidence this can happen effectively. Here’s a look back at 2024 through 14 of our most striking research findings.

90% of Harris voters, versus 57% of Trump voters, are confident the 2024 election will be administered well.

72 Of Americans Say The U S Used To Be A Good Example Of Democracy

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