As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, the question of the future of American democracy is more pertinent than ever. In a thought-provoking article, our Global Public Opinion Strategist, Matt MacWilliams, delves into a concerning trend – survey research indicates that younger Americans are much less likely to support democracy consistently compared to older generations.

The research, funded by the Freudenberg Stiftung, reveals that young, inconsistent supporters of democracy lack basic knowledge about the Constitution, American government, and history. The research also points to two concepts that could reinvigorate support for democracy – freedom and community. Young Americans resonate with the idea of freedom, even though they see it as imperfect and contested. Community, on the other hand, represents unity and hope, offering a potential way to bring people back together.

Read the complete article here.