
20 January 2025
Interpreting young Americans’ views on government, the Constitution, and the appeal of authoritarian alternatives
May 1, 2025
Current Events
Democracy & Elections
American Identity
Trust
In recent years, there has been growing concern about Gen Z’s relationship with democracy. Headlines warn that “Gen Z is embracing dictatorship,” and similar storylines fuel anxiety that this rising generation is turning away from democratic norms altogether. These alarming narratives prompted us to take a closer look at Gen Z’s attitudes toward democracy, which clearly stand in stark contrast to those of older generations. Further questions emerged:
Through further polling and focus group conversations, we find that young Americans are largely not inclined towards authoritarianism. Instead, they are underwhelmed with what they have seen our country’s democracy deliver in their lifetimes.
In their frustration, young Americans are much more likely than older generations to entertain the possibility that the fundamentals of America’s government need rethinking. This is still a reason for concern, but it brings the true challenge into focus and clarifies how it might be addressed: not by dismissing Gen Z’s doubts, but by delivering democracy’s promises for their generation.
Polling Firm: More in Common
Sample Size (US): N = 2,647
Fieldwork Dates: February 21 to 27, 2025
Margin of Error: +/- 1.9%
The data was weighted to be representative according to gender/age interlocked, ethnicity, education level, region, and 2024 Presidential vote and turnout.
More in Common conducted two focus groups with Gen Z Americans who hold skeptical views towards democracy, for a total of 14 participants.
of Americans say the Constitution should be “widely respected because it has provided stability.”
of Gen Z Americans say democracy is “definitely the best” form of government for America.
of Gen Z Americans agree that “sometimes it’s okay for leaders to set aside democratic principles (e.g. constitutional checks and balances) to fix the economy.”
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