Poll Finds 83% of U.S. Adults Say America Strayed From Founding Principles Before 250th Anniversary
Updated
Updated · PBS NewsHour · Jul 1
Poll Finds 83% of U.S. Adults Say America Strayed From Founding Principles Before 250th Anniversary
2 articles · Updated · PBS NewsHour · Jul 1
Summary
Eighty-three percent of U.S. adults say the country has drifted from its founding principles, including 47% who say it has moved far away, according to a new PBS News/NPR/Marist poll.
The survey also found 82% see a serious threat to democracy's future, up from 78% in February, helping explain the broad sense that the nation is failing its ideals.
Patriotism remains mixed rather than collapsed: 65% say they are proud to be American, but the split is sharply partisan, with 93% of Republicans, 61% of independents and 45% of Democrats expressing pride.
Americans still show some optimism, with 53% saying the nation's best days are ahead, even as 37% say violence may be necessary to get the country back on track, up from 30% in October.
The findings arrive as the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary and mark a darker mood than 1976, when 30% said America had moved far away from its founding principles.
Why do most Americans remain proud of a country they believe has abandoned its founding principles?
Is America's perceived decline a reflection of reality or a national crisis of perception?
What new models for the American Dream are emerging for a generation that believes the old one is broken?
America at 250: Divided Sentiments, Eroding Patriotism, and the Struggle to Renew Founding Ideals
Overview
As America approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, public sentiment is shaped by a mix of enduring faith in founding ideals and growing skepticism about the nation’s direction. Many Americans feel uneasy about the future, questioning whether the country is still moving forward in its democratic journey. There is a recognized gap between the ideals set out in the Constitution and how they have been upheld throughout history and today. This has led to doubts about whether America has always lived up to its foundational principles, highlighting both hope and concern as the nation reflects on its identity.