Nine out of ten Americans could identify a recent news event or political matter that made them angry, while only half could name something that made them proud.
A recent survey conducted by the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State has revealed a striking disparity in how Americans respond to current events and political issues.
This survey, part of the Institute’s Mood of the Nation Poll, included responses from 997 American adults surveyed between January 11 and 17, 2024.
The poll highlighted a significant imbalance in emotional responses, with 46% of respondents reporting they felt “extremely angry” about recent news or political developments. In contrast, a much smaller percentage indicated they felt “extremely proud.”
When asked what in American politics today made them feel angry, many respondents pointed to political figures and coalitions.
President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and their respective political groups were frequently mentioned, accounting for nearly a quarter of all responses.
Fourteen percent of respondents, including 28% of Democrats, cited “Trump, Republicans, and the right,” with 10% specifically mentioning former President Trump.
Conversely, 10% of respondents, including 22% of Republicans, pointed to “Biden, Democrats, and the left,” with 7% specifically mentioning President Biden.
Domestic issues and policies were also common sources of anger. One in five respondents mentioned topics such as immigration and border control, the economy, and crime. Additionally, 12% of respondents expressed frustration with violations of democratic principles, including partisan division, corruption, and dishonesty.
In this poll the question of what in the news or about American politics made respondents either proud or angry was followed by another asking, “how proud (or angry) does that make you feel?” By any measure, Americans are angry. Only 10% answered “nothing made me angry.” Nearly half, 46%, indicated they were “extremely angry.”
Individual responses reflected deep-seated frustrations with the current political climate.
Unlike most polling results reported in recent years, this is a case where members of the two major political parties poll nearly identically: Similar proportions of Republicans and Democrats feel extremely angry (50% and 45%) and virtually identical proportions feel extremely proud (24% and 25%). Of course, as noted earlier, the kinds of things that make each either angry or proud are quite different.
The most striking difference in levels of anger among the demographic groups that we looked at is between the generations. Younger generations are somewhat prouder than older generations, and older generations are notably angrier than younger. Fifty-seven percent of Baby Boomers say they are “extremely angry,” compared to 48% of Generation X, 38% of Millennials, and only 32% of Generation Z.
A 75-year-old white male Republican from Texas expressed anger at “everything that Biden and the Democrats do,” while a 20-year-old white female Democrat from Florida was upset by “people defending Trump’s right to be on the ballot, saying that he’s not an insurrectionist.”
A 60-year-old white female Independent from Wisconsin decried “the vitriol and failure to listen to or hear voices in opposition,” and a 48-year-old Black female Democrat from New Jersey lamented that “we are divided. We don’t listen or respect each other as human beings.”
In contrast, when asked about sources of pride, nearly half of the respondents struggled to identify anything that made them proud, with 44% indicating “nothing” and another 3% responding “don’t know.”
Among those who could identify something positive, the principles of democracy were the most frequently mentioned source of pride. This category included references to democracy itself, freedom, and, less often, unity.
Some respondents highlighted specific achievements and principles as sources of pride. A 61-year-old Hispanic female Independent from Florida mentioned “the integrity of the United States, the value of freedom from oppression.”
A 19-year-old Hispanic male Democrat from Massachusetts cited “historic climate investments, student debt cancellation, and an increasingly progressive Democratic party.”
A 36-year-old Black male Republican from Oregon was proud of “the Presidential Primaries and Trump winning Iowa,” while a 25-year-old white female Independent from Minnesota noted “news about Gen-Z engaging in advocacy, especially around the genocide in Gaza.”
The survey revealed a stark difference in emotional intensity, with significantly more Americans feeling “extremely angry” compared to those feeling “extremely proud.”
Interestingly, both Republicans and Democrats exhibited similar levels of extreme anger and extreme pride, although the issues provoking these emotions varied widely.
Generational differences were also apparent in the survey results. Older generations, particularly Baby Boomers, reported higher levels of anger, with 57% indicating they were “extremely angry,” compared to 48% of Generation X, 38% of Millennials, and 32% of Generation Z.
Conversely, younger generations tended to express slightly more pride in recent news and political developments.
The McCourtney Institute for Democracy’s Mood of the Nation Poll underscores a pervasive sense of anger among Americans regarding current events and political issues, with significantly fewer expressing feelings of pride.
The results underscore the profound divisions and intense emotions that define the current American political scene.
Through its research, teaching, and public outreach, the McCourtney Institute for Democracy promotes scholarship and practical innovations that defend and advance democracy in the United States and abroad.