from Renewing America

Resilient American Values

Optimism in an Era of Growing Inequality and Economic Difficulty

May 8, 2013

Report

More on:

United States

Economics

Polls and Public Opinion

Overview

Despite an extended period of economic difficulty, Pew Research Center pollsters Andrew Kohut and Michael Dimock show that Americans' core values and beliefs about economic opportunity, and the nation's economic outlook, remain largely optimistic and unchanged. There is also little evidence that economic class is becoming a greater factor in shaping American values than in the past. Americans are certain that the nation can solve its problems, that hard work ultimately pays off, and that income divides are an acceptable part of a healthy economy. But they increasingly see a lack of fairness in public policies that are failing to promote economic opportunity.

Andrew Kohut

Director, Pew Global Attitudes Project

Michael Dimock

Director, Pew Research Center for the People and the Press

See CFR Senior Fellow and Renewing America Director Edward Alden's accompanying blog post here.

More on:

United States

Economics

Polls and Public Opinion

Top Stories on CFR

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

An impending Israeli ground invasion of Rafah could threaten more than a million civilians seeking refuge in the city and further restrict humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

Maldives

Once a close Indian partner, the Maldives is now aligning more with China. Is the island nation becoming a flash point in the China-India relationship? 

Public Health Threats and Pandemics

A global surge in avian flu outbreaks in birds and some mammals is worrying poultry farmers, scientists, and health experts. The trend is provoking questions about the future of the disease and global public health.