The Atlantic/Aspen Institute

One Nation
Divisible
Survey
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute Annual American
Values Survey: One Nation, Divisible
FULL RESULTS
1
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Survey Methodology
From May 29
th
to June 8
th
, 2013, Penn Schoen Berland conducted 2,010 interviews with
the adult general population of the United States. Of the 2,010 interviews completed,
1,010 interviews were conducted by phone and 1,000 interviews were conducted
online.














The data presented in this study are reflective of U.S. Census Bureau demographic
statistics in terms of gender, age, ethnicity, income, education, and region.
2
Sample Size
(Unweighted)
Margin of Error
General Population (All), including: 2010 2.19%
Male 852 3.36%
Female 1158 2.88%
Age 18-29 339 5.32%
Age 30-44 577 4.08%
Age 45-64 752 3.57%
Age 65+ 342 5.30%
Democrats 794 3.48%
Republicans 460 4.57%
Independents 611 3.96%
Northeast 382 5.01%
Midwest 429 4.73%
South 741 3.60%
West 458 4.58%
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
After the election cycle, Americans have a
slightly more positive outlook
3
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
59% of Americans think the U.S. is headed in
the wrong direction
4
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I
Right direction 35 38 33 41 42 32 25 59 18 32
Wrong direction 59 57 61 52 56 64 63 36 77 62
Dont know 6 6 6 7 3 4 12 5 5 6
35% 59%
Right direction Wrong direction
2013
6 in 10 say economy is on the wrong track,
down from two thirds in 2012
5
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I
Right track 38 43 33 36 45 36 34 61 19 36
Wrong track 59 55 63 60 54 63 56 36 78 61
Dont know 3 2 4 3 1 1 10 3 3 2
In general, is the U.S. economy on the right track or is it off on the
wrong track?
38% 59% 3%
Right track Wrong track Don't Know
2013
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
2%
0%
3%
5%
4%
6% 6%
52%
3% 3%
5% 5%
6%
7% 7%
33%
Immigration Income gap Education Family
values
Big
government
Gov't
spending
Health care Economy
and jobs
2012
2013
11%
2%
1% 1%
2%
3%
0%
2%
19%
1% 1%
2% 2% 2% 2%
3%
Other/ Don't
know
War in
Afghanistan
Lack of
opportunity
Taxes Fuel costs Partisan
politics
Declining
middle class
National
security
Jobs and the economy are the most important
issues facing the country
6
What do you think is the most important issue facing this country
today?
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Jobs and the economy are the most important
issues facing the country
7
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I
Economy and jobs 33 33 34 36 35 33 27 38 30 33
Deficit and government spending 7 10 4 6 6 7 10 5 9 7
Health care 7 5 9 3 9 7 9 10 5 6
Big government / bureaucracy 6 7 5 3 5 8 6 2 9 6
Education 5 5 5 8 6 4 1 6 5 4
Moral values / family values 5 3 7 5 6 5 5 4 8 5
Terrorism and national security 3 4 3 3 3 5 2 2 5 3
Immigration 3 3 3 4 3 3 1 3 3 3
Gap between rich and poor 3 3 2 4 3 2 1 3 2 3
Taxes 2 2 2 5 2 2 0 1 3 3
Fuel costs 2 2 1 3 2 2 0 2 2 2
Partisan politics 2 3 1 1 1 2 3 3 2 1
Declining middle class 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 3 1 2
War in Afghanistan 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 0 1
Lack of opportunity 1 1 1 2 1 1 0 1 1 1
Other 17 17 16 10 14 17 28 16 16 15
Don't know 2 1 3 3 1 1 5 1 2 3
What do you think is the most important issue facing this country
today?
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Older Americans more likely to say their
generation is better off than their parents
8
34%
35%
51%
50%
14%
13%
Better Worse Same
Are people in your generation better off or worse off than people in your parents
generation?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Better 35 40 30 26 29 33 61 47 35 28 33 36 36 34
Worse 50 46 54 57 58 52 25 38 53 56 55 51 49 48
Same 13 12 14 15 12 14 12 14 12 14 10 12 14 15
2013
2012
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
9%
13%
70%
66%
21%
20%
1%
1%
Getting better Getting worse Staying the same Don't know
2013
2012
Americans believe values have been getting
worse but theres an uptick since 2012
9
Would you say that peoples values in America have been getting better, getting
worse, or staying about the same over the past 10 years?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Getting better 13 16 11 19 16 9 10 19 9 13 14 12 15 12
Getting worse 66 63 69 57 62 73 69 56 76 66 64 68 67 65
Staying the same 20 20 20 24 22 17 19 25 14 21 22 20 18 22
Dont know 1 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Americans, especially Republicans, believe
peoples values will become weaker
10
23%
26%
46%
46%
29%
25%
2%
3%
Stronger Weaker Stay about the same Don't Know
Do you think American values will grow stronger, weaker, or stay about he same over
the next 10 years?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Stronger 26 28 24 27 26 23 30 36 20 24 28 27 27 22
Weaker 46 47 46 42 47 51 42 36 55 48 45 47 48 43
Stay about the same 25 22 28 30 27 23 20 25 23 26 26 23 22 31
Dont know 3 3 3 1 1 3 8 3 3 2 1 3 3 4
2013
2012
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
The United States of America?
11
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Nearly three fourths say it is very
important for America to be united
12
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Very important 73 74 72 65 67 76 88 72 77 70 72 69 76 73
Somewhat important 23 21 24 30 27 22 9 24 19 25 24 28 19 23
Not very important 3 3 2 4 4 2 1 2 3 3 2 2 3 3
Not at all important 1 1 0 1 2 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1
73%
23%
3%
1%
Very
Somewhat
Not very
Not at all
Generally speaking, how important is it to you that America be united? Is it?
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Despite differences, Americans
believe well remain united
13
Given the differences that exist on important issues in this country, how likely is it that
America will remain united as one country? Is it?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Very likely 42 47 37 42 44 38 46 48 35 44 50 40 39 42
Somewhat likely 38 32 44 40 38 40 34 39 41 35 34 41 38 40
Not very likely 14 16 13 14 14 16 12 10 18 15 12 13 17 13
Not at all likely 5 4 5 4 4 5 6 2 6 6 4 5 5 5
42% 38% 14% 5%
Very likely Somewhat likely Not very likely Not at all likely
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Its important to be united, but most
think the US is increasingly divided
14
8% 14% 29% 32%
Much more united Somewhat more united Somewhat more divided Much more divided
Would you say that America has become more united over the past 10 years or has it
become more divided?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Much more united 8 9 7 8 7 9 5 13 5 5 12 7 8 5
Somewhat more united 14 13 15 20 16 11 8 19 12 12 16 18 12 11
Somewhat more divided 29 28 30 33 26 28 29 29 28 30 28 27 28 32
Much more divided 32 35 29 20 27 38 44 24 41 32 30 31 33 34
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Much more united 12 15 9 9 13 10 15 17 7 11 10 10 14 11
Somewhat more united 21 23 19 24 18 21 22 29 20 17 27 24 18 19
Stay about the same 27 24 31 34 28 28 18 27 25 31 24 30 28 27
Somewhat more divided 20 18 21 19 22 22 12 17 22 20 20 19 18 23
Much more divided 15 15 15 11 15 15 19 7 19 17 12 12 18 16
Americans are split on the future
unity of the country
15
Do you think America will become more united or more divided over the next ten years?
12% 21% 27% 20% 15%
Much more united Somewhat more united Stay about the same
Somewhat more divided Much more divided
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Nearly 6 in 10 believe the health of
American democracy is weak
16
How would you rate the health of American democracy today?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Very strong 8 11 6 8 9 8 8 13 7 6 10 7 9 7
Somewhat strong 32 31 33 38 34 26 33 41 26 32 31 31 32 35
Somewhat weak 38 33 42 41 36 41 30 32 42 39 35 44 36 36
Very weak 20 24 17 12 19 24 24 12 26 21 23 16 21 21
8% 32% 38% 20%
Very strong Somewhat strong Somewhat weak Very weak
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Millennials more likely to think of
America as united
17
Generally speaking, how united or divided do you think America is today?
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Very united 7 8 5 7 9 5 4 7 7 6 11 4 8 4
Somewhat united 27 26 28 39 25 24 22 33 23 29 24 29 26 31
Somewhat divided 37 34 40 38 39 36 38 38 34 38 41 37 37 34
Very divided 28 32 25 16 27 34 33 22 36 27 24 29 29 30
7% 27% 37% 28%
Very united Somewhat united Somewhat divided Very divided
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
57%
55%
52%
50%
49%
45%
44%
21%
15%
16%
24%
20%
25%
23%
17%
23%
25%
18%
21%
16%
28%
Mexico
Iran
North Korea
Russia
Egypt
India
China
More united About the same More divided
Unity compared to other countries
18
Do you think America is more united or more divided than the following?
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
43%
42%
39%
34%
32%
30%
27%
23%
26%
30%
31%
37%
39%
32%
45%
37%
27%
19%
15%
20%
20%
31%
21%
22%
Israel
The E.U.
Brazil
France
Germany
Japan
UK
Denmark
More united About the same More divided
Unity compared to other countries
19
Do you think America is more united or more divided than the following?
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
What drives unity?
20
In what ways has America become more united in the past 10 years?
(Open End)
Just seems that Americans are
more patriotic and willing to
shield the population against
terrorist, foreign or domestic
More accepting of marriage
other than traditional sense,
more minorities being
considered for high political
positions
I think all of the mass killings
and natural disasters have
brought people on different
sides closer together. They are
more willing to compromise on
issues.
The hardships we have faced
have brought us closer together
in some ways.
More people are speaking out
in favor of gay marriage. More
people are turning out to vote.
Through tragedy the people of
the country stand up to support
one another.
Peoples goals are pretty
much the same and everybody
wants a good life for
themselves and their children
By being more supportive of
our troops and families, trying
to make peace with other
countries and working to get
congressional parties to work
together than be at odds
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
What drives division?
21
In what ways is America becoming more divided than it has been historically?
(Open End)
Everyone only cares for their
own issues and puts them
above the common good
Corporations have a lot to do
with it. Richer are growing
richer and poor are growing
poorer."
Educational system doesnt
teach any patriotism,
immigrants maintaining their
own cultures and not adopting
the American Culture.
Government is going down the
tubes, people don't believe in them
much anymore, they say one thing
and do other things, disappointing
the people, its hard to have
confidence anymore
47% of Americans get money
from the government every
month. That is a huge voting
block that cannot be overcome
by fiscal responsibility.
Because people think Obama
isn't doing very well as
President, so people are losing
their faith in America.
Because of social media, people are
voicing opinions publicly that used to
be kept to themselves or small groups
of people around them. Very heated
discussions can often erupt from these
online interchanges.
Every issue seems to have around 50%
for and around 50% against. There
doesn't seem to be majority support for
any issue. And fixing things has become
more problematic - you fix one thing and
another issue is adversely affected.
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
And Americans believe we are more
divided today than in the past
Older Americans (65+) are more likely to think we are more divided today than at other
points in history
22
Showing All
Do you think America is more or less united [today] than it was in
the?
60
49
51
11
16
19
23
30
24
1940's 1960's 1970's
More divided About the same More united
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Older Americans more likely to think
were more divided than in the past
23
Do you think America is more or less united than it was in the?
1
9
4
0
s

1
9
6
0
s

1
9
7
0
s

All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Much more united 10 10 9 14 7 9 11 15 7 9 10 9 12 9
Somewhat more united 13 12 14 23 17 9 6 21 5 18 22 12 11 9
About the same 11 9 13 17 16 10 2 9 12 11 7 9 12 16
Somewhat more divided 23 22 23 20 23 22 26 21 25 22 19 33 19 21
Much more divided 37 41 34 19 31 43 51 24 48 34 36 35 40 37
Much more united 12 14 11 15 12 9 15 19 10 8 13 13 11 11
Somewhat more united 18 15 20 23 17 18 12 21 17 16 21 22 13 19
About the same 16 16 17 18 18 15 11 15 17 17 14 15 17 18
Somewhat more divided 27 23 29 25 20 31 32 25 22 34 27 25 24 31
Much more divided 22 28 17 13 22 26 25 16 30 19 19 20 28 16
Much more united 9 9 10 7 10 12 5 11 10 7 12 7 13 4
Somewhat more united 15 18 13 25 11 14 9 22 14 12 26 13 12 17
About the same 19 18 21 24 23 13 20 16 19 23 11 24 16 26
Somewhat more divided 26 25 27 25 23 30 26 27 26 25 27 24 26 28
Much more divided 25 25 26 16 21 30 37 20 27 29 21 27 30 19
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
We are more divided today than any
other time except the Civil Rights Era
24
31%
39%
25%
38%
43%
36%
39%
44%
21%
23%
31%
18%
The Great Depression Civil Rights Era During Watergate Scandal After 9/11
We are more united today than
We are more divided today than
About the same
Showing All
Would you say America today is more united or divided when compared to
each of the following times in our history?
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
25
Would you say America today is more united or divided when compared to
each of the following times in our history?
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
More united today 31 32 30 41 30 24 33 35 27 32 33 27 35 28
More divided today 43 46 41 33 44 51 41 41 50 41 43 46 41 45
About the same 21 19 23 24 21 21 16 19 19 22 22 25 18 20
More united today 39 40 38 49 42 33 30 45 31 40 39 41 39 39
More divided today 36 39 33 30 37 38 37 32 40 35 36 31 37 36
About the same 23 20 26 20 18 27 31 20 28 22 23 25 22 22
More united today 25 28 23 32 26 23 19 32 22 23 25 27 23 27
More divided today 39 40 39 31 36 44 48 35 47 40 33 41 41 40
About the same 31 28 33 33 32 31 26 30 29 32 35 28 31 29
More united today
38 39 36 46 36 37 27 48 29 37 46 35 39 32
More divided today
44 47 42 36 47 46 46 33 53 45 37 49 44 44
About the same
18 14 21 17 17 16 24 18 17 18 16 15 16 23
G
r
e
a
t

D
e
p
r
e
s
s
i
o
n

C
i
v
i
l

R
i
g
h
t
s

E
r
a

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r
i
n
g

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a
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A
f
t
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9
/
1
1

America is more divided today than it
was during the Watergate scandal
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
65% say that America is as divided or more
divided than it was during the Vietnam War.
26
24%
29%
33%
27%
48%
49%
38%
44%
20%
17%
27%
23%
World War 1 World War 2 Vietnam War Cold War
We are more united today than We are more divided today than About the same
Showing All
Would you say America today is more united or divided when compared to
each of the following times in our history?
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
America feels as divided or more
divided today than during Vietnam
27
Would you say America today is more united or divided when compared to
each of the following times in our history?
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
More united today 24 24 25 36 23 21 17 30 20 23 26 22 24 26
More divided today 48 52 44 47 47 51 43 42 51 52 48 52 48 43
About the same 20 17 24 16 24 21 18 20 24 18 23 19 18 24
W
o
r
l
d

W
a
r

1

W
o
r
l
d

W
a
r

2
More united today 29 30 28 37 28 26 23 36 23 28 30 26 28 32
More divided today 49 52 46 44 48 53 49 41 54 52 45 54 48 48
About the same 17 14 20 18 18 17 14 19 16 16 21 17 18 13
More united today 33 32 33 38 34 30 26 41 26 32 30 31 32 37
More divided today 38 39 36 36 37 39 37 33 41 40 32 41 39 36
About the same 27 27 28 24 27 29 32 23 32 27 33 27 26 26
V
i
e
t
n
a
m

W
a
r

More united today 27 29 25 34 28 24 21 34 21 27 25 31 27 25
More divided today 44 45 44 39 44 48 45 38 49 47 43 41 44 49
About the same 23 21 25 21 24 23 27 23 26 21 24 25 24 21
C
o
l
d

W
a
r

The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
After 9/11 seen by majority of Americans as
the most united period in the past decade
28
At what time in the past decade do you think America has been most united?
56%
5%
5%
3%
3%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
13%
After 9/11
Killing of Osama Bin Laden
Election of Barack Obama in 2008
After the Sandy Hook Shootings
Election of Barack Obama in 2012
Boston Marathon Bombings
After an Olympic Event
Entrance into the Iraq War
After the Tucson Shootings
After the Oklahoma City Bombing
Other
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Americans across all subgroups see the
period after 9/11 as being the most united
29
At what time in the past decade do you think America has been most united?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
After 9/11 56 53 59 51 59 63 43 55 59 57 60 58 54 55
Killing of Osama Bin
Laden
5 5 5 7 7 4 2 6 4 5 3 4 6 6
Election of Barack
Obama in 2008
5 6 4 6 4 5 7 8 2 5 8 6 5 3
After the Sandy Hook
Shootings
3 3 3 6 2 3 1 3 3 4 1 4 5 2
Election of Barack
Obama in 2012
3 4 3 3 5 3 2 4 2 4 2 4 3 4
Boston Marathon
Bombings
2 3 2 5 2 2 1 3 3 1 3 2 3 2
After an Olympic Event 2 2 1 3 3 0 0 1 2 3 1 4 1 1
Entrance into the Iraq
War
1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
After the Tucson
Shootings
1 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
After the Oklahoma City
Bombing
1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 2
Other 13 13 12 8 10 12 25 9 17 11 13 9 13 16
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
3 in 10 say we were most united after
the 9/11 attacks
30
At what time in American history do you think America has been most united?
30%
19%
8%
5%
4%
3%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
15%
Post-9/11
World War 2
After the Attacks on Pearl Harbor
Signing of the Declaration of Independence
Post assassination of President John F. Kennedy
Revolutionary War
The Great Depression
Civil War
Killing of Osama Bin Laden
Boston Marathon Bombings
Election of Barack Obama in 2008
Election of Barack Obama in 2012
Other
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
3 in 10 say we were most united after
the 9/11 attacks
Older Americans more likely to think of World War 2 as being the most united period in
American history
31
At what time in American history do you think America has been most united?
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
After 9/11 30 25 34 31 34 31 16 33 29 29 38 28 26 31
World War 2 19 25 15 13 16 19 38 12 25 21 18 22 17 21
After the attack on Pearl
Harbor
8 10 7 5 8 11 7 7 7 10 7 7 10 9
Signing of the Declaration of
Independence
5 3 6 9 4 2 3 5 4 5 4 5 6 4
After the assassination of
President John F. Kennedy
4 4 4 5 2 4 4 4 1 5 2 3 6 1
Revolutionary War 3 5 1 3 4 2 2 2 4 2 2 3 3 2
The Great Depression 2 2 2 4 2 1 2 2 1 3 2 4 2 1
Civil War 2 2 2 2 3 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 4
Killing of Osama Bin Laden 2 2 2 3 1 2 1 3 1 2 2 3 2 0
Boston Marathon Bombings 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 3 2 2 0
Election of Barack Obama in
2008
2 2 1 1 2 3 1 4 1 1 1 2 3 1
Election of Barack Obama in
2012
2 2 2 4 2 2 0 4 1 2 3 2 2 1
Other 10 8 11 6 9 13 10 9 12 7 9 7 8 15
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
1 in 5 say Obamas 2012 election is the
most divisive event of the last decade
32
At what time in the past decade do you think America has been most divided?
20%
12%
12%
11%
11%
9%
4%
2%
2%
1%
1%
11%
Election of Barack Obama in 2012
Election of Barack Obama in 2008
During the financial crisis
During the healthcare debate
During the gun control debate
Entrance into the Iraq War
After 9/11
Killing of Osama Bin Laden
After the Sandy Hook Shootings
Boston Marathon Bombings
After an Olympic Event
Other
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
1 in 5 say Obamas 2012 election is the
most divisive event of the last decade
Americans across all subgroups view recent elections as most divisive
33
At what time in the past decade do you think America has been most divided?
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Election of Barack Obama in
2012
20 19 20 19 21 18 21 14 22 24 15 18 19 25
Election of Barack Obama in
2008
12 12 12 11 13 14 8 11 18 9 7 15 14 10
During the financial crisis 12 11 12 13 13 12 5 13 9 13 13 10 12 11
During the healthcare debate
11 11 10 12 12 9 11 10 12 11 11 13 10 10
During the gun control debate
11 11 12 11 12 12 8 12 11 12 16 11 10 9
Entrance into the Iraq War 9 9 9 10 7 10 8 13 5 9 10 10 7 10
After 9/11 4 5 4 6 4 4 3 5 4 4 3 3 5 5
Killing of Osama Bin Laden
2 2 2 2 2 3 0 3 2 1 4 3 1 0
After the Sandy Hook Shootings
2 2 2 1 3 2 1 2 1 2 3 1 1 3
Boston Marathon Bombings
1 1 1 2 2 1 0 1 2 1 1 1 2 1
After an Olympic Event 1 1 1 2 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
After the Tucson Shootings
0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1
Other 11 12 10 5 8 12 23 10 11 9 9 10 11 12
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Americans are divided on likeliness
of unity
34
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
More likely 34 34 33 40 29 33 37 44 27 32 40 31 34 31
Less likely 32 33 31 31 34 31 34 23 41 32 22 33 37 32
About the same 32 30 34 26 36 35 26 33 29 33 34 35 28 35
34%
32%
32%
More likely
Less likely
About the same
Do you think America is more or less likely to remain united today, when compared
to other times in our history?
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Unity more important now than
during parents generation
An overwhelming majority believe it is more important for them to be
united as one country than it was to their parents generation.
35
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Much more important 45 46 44 39 43 50 46 47 47 42 47 36 50 45
Somewhat more important 38 35 40 49 37 35 31 40 35 40 40 42 35 39
Somewhat less important 11 13 10 9 14 10 11 8 13 11 10 15 8 13
Much less important 3 3 2 1 4 2 1 2 1 4 2 4 3 1
45%
38%
11%
3%
Much more important
Somewhat more important
Somewhat less important
Much less important
Is it more or less important to you that America be united as one country than it was
to your parents generation?
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Unity more important now than will
be to childrens generation
An overwhelming majority believe that American unity will be more
important to them than to their childrens generation
36
49%
34%
11%
3%
Much more important
Somewhat more important
Somewhat less important
Much less important
Do you think it is more or less important to you that America be united as one
country than it will be to your childrens generation?
Showing All
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Much more important 49 52 47 43 49 51 56 49 52 47 52 42 55 46
Somewhat more important 34 32 36 41 34 32 30 36 33 35 36 42 28 37
Somewhat less important 11 10 12 13 11 12 8 11 11 12 9 13 11 13
Much less important 3 3 2 2 4 2 3 2 1 4 2 2 4 2
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
The Ties that Bind Us
37
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Yes 78 82 74 75 81 76 79 86 73 76 83 81 74 75
No 20 18 22 24 18 23 13 14 23 23 15 18 25 20
Don't know 2 0 3 0 1 1 8 1 4 1 2 0 1 4
1 in 5 think America will not remain
united
38
78%
20%
Yes
No
Do you think America will remain united as one country?
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Yes 97 96 98 97 96 98 97 98 97 98 98 96 97 97
No 2 3 2 3 3 2 1 2 3 2 1 3 3 3
Don't know 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0
Almost all want America to remain
united
39
97%
2%
Yes
No
Do you want America to remain united as one country?
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Yes 95 95 94 92 94 97 94 97 93 95 96 96 95 92
No 4 5 4 8 5 2 2 3 4 5 3 4 4 5
Don't know 1 0 2 0 1 1 5 0 3 0 1 0 1 3
America should strive to be united
40
95%
4%
Yes
No
Is being united as a country something that America should strive for?
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
95% believe being united as a country is
something to strive for
41
Why do you say that? (Open End)
Being united makes us
strong.
A house divided falls.
It is the only way America can get
back to the top.
Because we are a world power
and I feel like we have a good
system, its not perfect but it
works.
Our country, united, is one of the
most powerful nations on earth.
But we are slowly giving that
power away to other countries and
are limiting our effectiveness
We are a nation under one
government, it would be best if we
could figure out a way to all live
together in peace, even if that
means we have to all agree to
disagree like in any working
relationship.
This is still one country and even
though there are many with
differing points of view, the
grandest thing about this country
is that
THAT IS OK.
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Americans largely believe they belong in
the same country despite differing views
42
85%
14%
Yes
No
Do you feel like you belong in the same country with people who have vastly different
views from your own?
Showing All
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Yes 85 84 85 85 83 85 86 87 80 87 87 85 84 84
No 14 14 14 15 16 13 11 11 19 12 12 14 14 15
Don't know 1 1 1 0 1 1 3 1 1 1 0 1 2 1
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Equal opportunity and freedom of
speech drives unity
43
Which of the following do you think help make America united?
Please indicate all that apply.
59%
59%
54%
54%
53%
52%
47%
44%
43%
41%
41%
38%
36%
27%
20%
19%
5%
Equal opportunity
Freedom of speech
Freedom of religion
Common values
Patriotism
Democracy
Strong, robust middle class
Strong military
Our heritage
Free enterprise
Smaller gap between rich and poor
Limited government
The rule of law
Arts and culture
Social media
Sports teams / athletes
Other
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Older Americans point to wide variety of
factors that make America united
44
Which of the following do you think help make America united?
Please indicate all that apply.
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W
Equal opportunity 59 60 58 53 54 62 71 66 52 56 56 61 63 53
Freedom of speech 59 62 56 54 53 61 71 60 60 55 59 57 62 57
Freedom of religion 54 54 54 50 45 57 71 52 60 48 49 53 56 55
Common values 54 56 53 44 51 58 69 53 57 51 54 59 54 50
Patriotism 53 54 52 43 50 54 72 46 62 49 54 55 53 49
Democracy 52 59 46 35 48 58 73 61 52 42 57 55 51 46
Strong, robust middle class 47 48 45 39 41 50 61 48 46 44 44 45 50 45
Strong military 44 46 42 36 41 44 61 39 52 39 42 41 48 41
Our heritage 43 43 43 32 38 48 61 43 43 41 44 47 46 36
Free enterprise 41 44 38 26 35 47 62 37 48 36 38 35 44 43
Smaller gap between rich and poor 41 43 40 46 35 42 43 50 27 44 46 42 39 39
Limited government 38 39 36 31 31 43 48 25 51 36 29 40 43 34
The rule of law 36 41 32 24 34 39 56 34 37 35 38 33 37 36
Arts and culture 27 28 26 27 23 25 39 28 24 25 26 27 27 27
Social media 20 20 20 24 15 18 30 24 19 17 22 18 21 20
Sports teams / athletes 19 21 18 19 16 17 32 24 20 14 21 19 19 18
Other 5 5 5 3 5 7 4 5 4 4 4 3 4 9
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Special interest, beltway gridlock and
wealth inequality divide America
45
Which of the following do you think contribute to America being divided?
Please indicate all that apply
59%
45%
45%
40%
39%
39%
35%
34%
33%
33%
33%
30%
30%
27%
27%
25%
24%
22%
19%
18%
15%
7%
7%
Money in politics
Congressional gridlock
Wealth inequality
Extremism
Racial differences
Power of Wall Street and big
Left wing extremism
Special Interest Groups
Education gaps
Lobbying firms
Right wing extremism
Religion
Left wing media
Corporations
Right wing media
Sexism
Social media
Congressional redistricting
Regional differences
Rural vs. urban perspectives
24 hour news cycle
Sports teams / athletes
Other
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W
Money in politics 59 58 59 49 56 64 67 57 59 59 61 60 59 56
Congressional gridlock 45 48 42 25 39 55 65 45 48 44 50 48 41 44
Wealth inequality 45 42 47 41 46 49 37 51 32 48 48 46 44 43
Extremism 40 42 39 28 37 46 55 42 43 36 42 41 38 42
Racial differences 39 39 40 39 37 39 47 43 33 42 39 32 45 37
Power of Wall Street and big corporations 39 39 39 31 38 47 38 45 29 41 43 38 39 38
Left wing extremism 35 37 33 23 33 36 56 26 48 33 36 35 35 34
Special Interest Groups 34 40 30 17 34 38 56 32 38 33 32 32 33 39
Education gaps 33 34 32 33 32 32 37 36 28 33 31 25 37 36
Lobbying firms 33 37 30 14 32 40 53 34 34 31 39 30 31 35
Right wing extremism 33 35 31 21 31 35 49 35 28 34 37 32 32 31
Religion 30 30 29 29 33 28 28 34 21 32 25 30 29 34
Left wing media 30 30 29 22 28 29 48 21 44 25 31 31 30 25
Corporations 27 27 27 22 29 30 23 35 17 26 29 27 26 27
Right wing media 27 27 27 22 25 27 41 31 22 27 33 26 27 24
Sexism 25 20 30 29 24 25 24 29 21 25 26 25 27 22
Social media 24 22 25 18 22 24 35 20 28 22 22 24 25 22
Congressional redistricting 22 24 21 15 21 24 31 24 21 20 22 21 24 20
Regional differences 19 20 19 24 16 17 26 23 14 19 15 16 23 20
Rural vs. urban perspectives 18 19 17 18 17 17 22 18 18 17 20 17 18 17
24 hour news cycle 15 15 16 15 16 14 20 12 16 17 15 16 19 11
Sports teams / athletes 7 7 6 4 6 7 10 8 5 6 10 4 8 5
Other 7 7 6 5 5 9 8 5 8 6 9 6 5 9
Money in politics seen as a divisive
factor across all subgroups
46
Which of the following do you think contribute to America being divided?
Please indicate all that apply
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Holding government accountable,
partisan cooperation will unite America
47
What do you think America could do to become more united? Please select up to 3
responses.
27%
22%
22%
20%
19%
18%
15%
13%
13%
11%
11%
10%
10%
10%
7%
6%
6%
5%
5%
5%
3%
6%
Hold politicians more accountable
Greater cooperation by Republicans and Democrats in congress
Limit the power of the federal government
Limit the influence of money in politics
Hold our politicians to a higher standard
More economic equality
Limit immigration
Congressional term limits
Simplify the tax code
Financial reform
Let voters decide issues through referendum votes
Establish national standards for education
Stricter gun control measures
Define marriage as between a man and a woman on a federal
Legalize same sex marriage
Get rid of congress
Abolish gun control measures
The rise of a major third political party
Eliminate separation of church and state
Establish an official national language
Increasing the power of the federal government
Other
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
All subgroups value holding government
accountable and partisan cooperation
48
What do you think America could do to become more united?
Please select up to 3 responses.
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W
Hold politicians more accountable 27 29 26 22 28 30 27 24 31 28 31 27 25 30
Greater cooperation by Republicans and Democrats in
congress
22 23 21 15 20 26 25 29 22 18 26 23 20 21
Limit the power of the federal government 22 22 22 23 20 23 22 12 32 24 18 21 25 22
Limit the influence of money in politics 20 20 21 20 19 22 18 23 16 21 20 21 18 22
Hold our politicians to a higher standard 19 22 17 14 18 19 26 18 19 21 24 19 18 18
More economic equality 18 16 20 22 21 17 10 27 9 17 23 19 14 19
Limit immigration 15 13 16 12 15 17 12 13 18 14 14 13 16 15
Congressional term limits 13 17 9 8 12 14 19 9 16 14 11 12 14 13
Simplify the tax code 13 15 12 10 12 14 18 11 16 14 10 13 13 16
Financial reform 11 11 11 16 13 9 5 15 9 9 9 14 9 12
Let voters decide issues through referendum votes 11 12 10 13 12 7 14 10 12 10 11 9 11 11
Establish national standards for education 10 11 9 13 10 10 7 11 6 12 14 9 10 8
Stricter gun control measures 10 8 12 8 10 11 10 15 3 11 9 13 10 7
Define marriage as between a man and a woman on a
federal level
10 9 11 6 11 11 14 7 15 9 7 11 13 9
Legalize same sex marriage 7 5 9 18 6 3 3 10 3 8 10 7 6 6
Get rid of Congress 6 5 7 9 6 5 4 6 6 5 6 8 8 2
Abolish gun control measures 6 7 5 8 9 3 3 4 7 6 4 8 5 5
The rise of a major third political party 5 6 3 4 6 3 6 3 4 7 5 4 4 6
Eliminate separation of church and state 5 4 5 3 7 4 4 4 6 4 3 3 6 4
Establish an official national language 5 5 5 3 6 6 6 2 9 5 6 7 5 4
Increase the power of the federal government 3 3 3 5 3 4 1 3 3 5 5 2 3 3
Other 6 5 7 6 3 8 9 6 6 6 3 3 6 11
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Reducing bureaucracy and increasing
bipartisanship would make us more united
49
What steps could elected officials take to make America more united?
20%
20%
13%
10%
10%
9%
5%
9%
4%
Encourage meetings between parties
Reduce bureaucracy
Increase transparency
Easing partisan rhetoric
Campaign finance reform
Get rid of the filibuster
Reform the redistricting process
Other
Don't know
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
All subgroups looking for meetings
between parties
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Encourage meetings between parties 20 17 22 30 17 17 14 24 17 19 22 21 20 17
Reduce bureaucracy 20 21 20 12 20 26 21 16 26 20 20 22 19 20
Increase transparency 13 13 14 14 16 11 12 11 14 14 11 14 13 14
Easing partisan rhetoric 10 11 8 6 12 11 7 9 11 10 8 11 10 10
Campaign finance reform 10 10 10 10 10 9 13 13 8 10 11 11 10 9
Get rid of the filibuster 9 11 7 9 11 7 12 11 9 8 9 8 12 6
Reform the redistricting process 5 4 5 9 3 5 3 3 6 5 5 2 5 7
Other 9 7 10 5 8 10 12 7 8 9 7 7 7 14
Don't know 4 4 4 5 3 3 7 5 1 4 8 3 4 3
50
What steps could elected officials take to make America more united?
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Community leaders do the most to unite
America
51
Who are the figures in society that do the most to unite America?
14%
13%
13%
11%
11%
9%
4%
3%
3%
3%
3%
2%
1%
8%
Community Leaders
Military personnel
Teachers
Religious Leaders
First Responders
Politicians
Celebrities
Business leaders
Athletes
Sports teams
TV Personalities
Media figures
Corporations
Other
Showing All
51
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Most subgroups view community leaders as
doing the most to unite America
52
Who are the figures in society that do the most to unite America?
52
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Community leaders 14 12 16 14 12 16 13 20 12 12 10 20 13 14
Military personnel 13 12 15 18 15 11 9 9 17 14 12 13 15 12
Teachers 13 15 11 12 15 11 13 13 7 16 10 14 14 12
Religious leaders 11 9 12 8 7 13 20 7 18 9 8 8 14 13
First Responders 11 11 10 5 12 14 10 9 14 10 15 13 8 10
Politicians 9 9 9 12 8 8 7 12 7 9 13 8 8 8
Celebrities 4 4 4 5 6 3 2 5 4 3 7 2 4 4
Business leaders 3 3 3 2 2 3 4 1 4 3 4 3 2 2
Athletes 3 4 2 3 4 2 3 3 2 4 2 5 2 4
Sports teams 3 4 3 6 3 2 5 5 2 3 4 2 3 5
TV Personalities 3 6 2 5 4 3 2 4 4 3 1 3 4 5
Media figures 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 4 1 2 3 2 2 2
Corporations 1 0 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1
Other 8 8 8 5 9 11 6 7 6 9 9 6 9 8
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Politicians do the most to divide America
today
53
Who are the figures in society that do the most to divide America?
54%
10%
7%
6%
4%
3%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
5%
Politicians
Media figures
Corporations
Religious Leaders
Celebrities
Military personnel
Community Leaders
TV Personalities
Business owners
Athletes
First Responders
Teachers
Sports teams
Other
Showing All
53
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Americans across various subgroups see
politicians as divisive
54
Who are the figures in society that do the most to divide America?
54
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Politicians 54 55 54 47 54 57 61 59 51 52 53 58 57 49
Media figures 10 12 8 9 9 11 7 7 16 7 5 8 10 14
Corporations 7 7 7 8 6 7 6 7 3 10 11 5 5 8
Religious Leaders 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 10 4 5 9 4 5 7
Celebrities 4 5 4 8 6 2 3 2 4 7 3 7 4 3
Military personnel 3 2 3 4 5 1 1 2 3 3 1 3 2 5
Community Leaders 2 1 3 1 1 4 1 2 4 1 1 1 3 3
TV Personalities 2 2 3 5 2 1 1 3 2 3 3 2 2 2
Business owners 1 0 1 2 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0
Athletes 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 1 0 1 2 0 1 1
First Responders 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 0 3 1 1 1 1 2
Teachers 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 1
Sports teams 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 2 2 1 1
Other 5 5 6 4 5 6 8 4 6 6 6 6 5 5
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
21%
6%
4%
4%
4%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
2%
34%
Barack Obama
Oprah Winfrey
Bill Clinton
Bill Gates
Chris Christie
Hillary Clinton
Michelle Obama
Clint Eastwood
Marco Rubio
Rand Paul
Warren Buffet
Other
Obama is the most unifying figure
55
Who do you think is the most unifying figure in America today?
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Obama seen as most unifying figure,
especially by democrats
56
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Barack Obama 21 22 21 24 21 20 22 36 11 17 26 21 20 19
Oprah Winfrey 6 6 5 6 9 4 2 5 4 7 7 7 5 4
Bill Clinton 4 5 4 3 5 4 3 5 2 5 7 3 4 5
Bill Gates 4 4 4 3 6 3 3 3 4 5 5 3 3 5
Chris Christie 4 3 4 3 2 5 5 2 7 3 5 4 4 1
Hillary Clinton 3 3 4 2 3 5 3 6 3 2 5 4 4 1
Michelle Obama 3 3 4 4 2 4 2 6 1 3 3 4 2 3
Clint Eastwood 2 2 2 4 2 1 1 0 3 3 2 1 3 1
Marco Rubio 2 3 1 1 1 1 5 0 3 2 1 1 2 2
Rand Paul 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 0 4 2 1 3 2 2
Warren Buffet 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 2
Other 34 36 33 38 36 39 22 24 41 38 23 36 36 43
Don't know
10 8 11 6 8 6 28 6 12 9 9 10 11 9
Who do you think is the most unifying figure in America today?
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
33%
10%
3%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
33%
Barack Obama
Rush Limbaugh
Bill Clinton
Donald Trump
Mitt Romney
Hillary Clinton
John Boehner
Sarah Palin
Other
But the President is also the most
divisive figure
57
Who do you think is the most divisive figure in America today?
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Obama also viewed as the most divisive
figure, especially for republicans
58
Who do you think is the most divisive figure in America today?
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Barack Obama 33 33 32 29 32 33 39 15 49 35 19 35 36 36
Rush Limbaugh 10 13 8 7 11 12 10 17 5 10 13 10 9 10
Bill Clinton 3 3 2 1 2 5 2 3 5 1 7 1 3 1
Donald Trump 3 4 2 3 3 2 5 6 1 2 2 4 3 3
Mitt Romney 3 3 4 8 3 2 0 7 1 3 4 4 2 4
Hillary Clinton 2 1 2 2 1 2 0 2 2 1 2 2 2 1
John Boehner 2 3 2 1 3 3 3 5 1 2 4 3 2 1
Sarah Palin 2 2 2 1 4 2 1 3 1 3 3 2 2 2
Other 33 26 35 36 29 32 27 36 30 30 28 35 30 30
Don't Know 9 10 9 11 9 7 12 7 6 11 16 5 8 10
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Lincoln, Regan, JFK embody unity
historically
59
Which of the following political leaders best embodies unity in America historically?
21%
19%
17%
10%
10%
9%
3%
11%
Abraham Lincoln
Ronald Reagan
John F. Kennedy
George Washington
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Bill Clinton
George W. Bush
Other/ Don't Know
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Republicans more likely to view
Reagan as embodying unity
60
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Abraham Lincoln 21 21 21 24 22 18 22 20 22 21 21 22 20 22
Ronald Reagan 19 17 20 14 16 20 28 6 33 17 18 14 21 20
John F. Kennedy 17 18 17 11 14 24 16 25 13 15 17 18 17 16
George Washington 10 11 9 14 13 7 5 7 9 14 7 11 11 10
Franklin D. Roosevelt 10 12 8 7 10 10 14 11 9 10 10 10 10 9
Bill Clinton 9 8 10 11 11 9 4 19 2 8 13 8 9 7
George W. Bush 3 2 4 6 3 2 2 2 3 4 1 2 4 4
Harry Truman 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 0 2 1 1 1 2 1
Lyndon B. Johnson 1 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1
Edward M. Kennedy 1 1 1 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 1 3 1 1
John McCain 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1
Tip ONeil 1 1 1 0 3 0 0 1 2 1 1 1 0 2
Other 4 4 4 2 5 6 1 5 2 3 4 5 2 6
Don't know 2 2 1 4 1 1 1 1 0 3 6 0 1 1
Which of the following political leaders best embodies unity in America historically?
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Barack Obama embodies unity today
61
Which of the following political leaders best embodies unity in America today?
27%
10%
6%
6%
5%
4%
4%
3%
2%
22%
10%
Barack Obama
Bill Clinton
Hillary Clinton
Chris Christie
John McCain
Marco Rubio
Mitt Romney
Rand Paul
John Boehner
Other
Don't Know
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Democrats and minorities most likely
to think Obama embodies unity
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Barack Obama 27 29 25 34 26 27 18 48 8 25 31 25 24 30
Bill Clinton 10 10 11 13 13 8 6 15 5 12 12 11 9 11
Hillary Clinton 6 5 7 6 5 8 4 8 4 6 5 6 8 3
Chris Christie 6 6 6 5 6 7 6 3 9 6 11 5 6 3
John McCain 5 6 5 5 7 5 4 1 9 6 3 9 5 5
Marco Rubio 4 3 5 3 2 6 4 1 8 4 1 3 5 6
Mitt Romney 4 4 4 2 4 5 3 1 8 3 3 3 4 5
Rand Paul 3 5 2 4 4 3 2 1 4 5 2 3 5 2
John Boehner 2 1 2 3 2 0 1 1 3 1 1 2 0 3
Joe Biden 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 0
Nancy Pelosi 1 1 1 2 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 2 1
Charles E. Schumer 1 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 1 1 0
Jan Brewer 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1
Ted Cruz 1 2 0 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 0 1 1 1
Olympia Snowe 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0
Other 16 15 16 10 17 18 19 9 20 15 14 16 16 16
Don't know 10 8 11 5 6 7 30 6 11 9 11 7 10 10
62
Which of the following political leaders best embodies unity in America today?
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Barack Obama is also the most divisive
political leader in the country
63
Which of the following political leaders are most divisive in our country today?
29%
9%
6%
5%
4%
4%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
21%
Barack Obama
Mitt Romney
John Boehner
Nancy Pelosi
Rand Paul
John McCain
Hillary Clinton
Bill Clinton
Marco Rubio
Harry Reid
Mitch McConnell
Other
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Republicans view Obama as divisive
64
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Barack Obama 29 25 32 26 28 30 33 13 45 30 24 30 31 27
Mitt Romney 9 9 8 13 12 5 2 12 4 9 12 8 6 10
John Boehner 6 8 4 3 7 8 4 11 3 6 8 7 6 4
Nancy Pelosi 5 5 6 5 4 6 6 3 9 5 6 9 3 5
Rand Paul 4 5 2 4 2 5 3 4 4 4 4 4 2 5
John McCain 4 4 4 6 4 3 4 7 3 3 4 3 5 4
Hillary Clinton 3 4 3 2 4 4 0 2 3 4 2 1 5 3
Bill Clinton 3 3 3 5 2 3 3 3 2 4 1 4 3 3
Marco Rubio 2 2 2 4 1 1 3 2 2 2 1 1 4 1
Harry Reid 2 2 2 2 1 1 4 2 3 1 2 2 2 2
Mitch McConnell 2 3 1 1 2 2 1 3 1 1 2 2 2 1
Joe Biden 1 2 1 2 1 2 0 2 1 1 2 1 1 2
Chris Christie 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
Eric Cantor 1 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 0 2 1 0 2 1
Dick Durbin 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 0
Susana Martinez 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0
Jan Brewer 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0
Ted Cruz 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 1
Timothy Geithner 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0
Other 13 13 14 11 15 13 16 15 8 13 15 12 12 15
Don't know 11 10 12 10 9 11 18 12 7 10 9 9 10 16
Which of the following political leaders are most divisive in our country today?
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
One Nation applies most to America
65
58%
48%
45%
53%
49%
47%
16%
one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. None of the
above
What parts of the Pledge of Allegiance do you think apply to America today? Please
indicate all that apply.
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
3 in 10 say Under God applies least to
America today
66
20%
30%
22%
18%
24%
26%
38%
one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. None of the
above
What parts of the Pledge of Allegiance do you think do not apply to America today?
Please indicate all that apply.
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Issues that Unify and Divide Us
67
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
69%
67%
31%
29%
24%
6%
3% 4%
Moral values Family values Religious
values
Ethnic or
cultural values
Political values Values about
beauty and art
Other None of the
above
Moral and Family values are the most
important for Americans to unite around
68
Showing All
Which values are most important for Americans to unite around? You may select up
to three responses.
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Moral values 69 69 69 59 69 72 76 66 71 69 70 72 66 70
Family values 67 68 67 55 66 73 77 63 72 67 68 67 67 68
Religious values 31 31 30 21 29 31 50 27 39 29 25 27 39 25
Ethnic or cultural values 29 32 28 35 34 25 22 36 21 30 31 24 29 34
Political Values 24 25 23 23 22 26 24 28 21 23 29 22 24 21
Values about beauty and art 6 6 6 14 4 3 2 8 4 5 5 7 5 6
Other 3 5 2 3 3 5 3 3 2 4 3 5 2 5
None of the above 4 3 4 6 4 2 2 5 2 3 2 3 4 5
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
55%
45%
37%
29%
20%
18%
2%
8%
Religion Politics Beauty and Art Ethnic or
cultural values
Family values Moral values Other None of the
above
Religious and political values are okay to be
divided on
69
Which values is it okay for Americans to be divided on? You may select up to three
responses.
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Religious values 55 56 53 56 53 53 61 60 48 56 63 51 50 58
Political values 45 48 42 34 50 45 54 47 43 45 44 48 45 43
Values about beauty and art 37 36 38 29 39 43 32 31 42 41 39 38 35 39
Ethnic or cultural values 29 29 29 25 25 36 25 23 35 30 26 26 27 36
Family Values 20 19 21 27 19 16 24 22 20 18 21 22 19 21
Moral Values 18 20 15 21 16 17 18 20 17 16 20 18 18 15
Other 2 3 2 2 2 3 1 2 2 2 3 1 3 2
None of the above 8 7 9 11 8 7 8 8 8 8 6 8 10 6
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Shared values are important,
especially for 65+ year olds
An overwhelming majority of Americans believe it is important for them to have shared
values.
70
51%
40%
7%
2%
Very
Somewhat
Not very
Not at all
Do you think it is important for Americans to have shared values?
Showing All
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Very important 51 54 48 40 48 52 65 49 58 46 44 42 55 57
Somewhat important 40 36 43 51 41 40 23 39 36 44 45 47 37 34
Not very important 7 7 7 7 9 5 6 10 5 7 9 9 5 7
Not at all important 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 2
Don't know 1 1 1 0 0 1 4 1 1 1 1 0 1 1
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Family is most important to Americans
71
72%
14%
4% 4%
2% 2%
My family My religion My work My community My politics Other
Which of the following is most important to you personally?
Showing All
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
My family 72 72 73 72 76 71 69 77 66 73 82 69 70 72
My religion 14 11 16 8 10 16 21 9 20 11 7 15 17 12
My work 4 5 3 6 6 2 1 4 4 4 3 5 4 4
My community 4 6 2 5 3 4 5 4 3 5 4 4 4 5
My politics 2 3 1 3 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 3 1 2
Other 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2
None of the above 2 2 3 4 2 3 1 2 2 3 1 2 3 3
Americans are most united on their
feelings about divorce, prostitution
72
How united or divided do you think America is on the following
social issues?
44%
39% 39%
35%
34%
53%
54%
55%
61%
65%
Divorce Prostitution Having a child
out of wedlock
Climate change Drugs
Total United Total Divided
Showing All
Abortion, gay marriage are considered
most divisive social issues
73
How united or divided do you think America is on the following
social issues?
22%
19%
17%
16%
14%
78%
81%
80%
81%
85%
Immigration Gun control Homosexuality Gay marriage Abortion
Total United Total Divided
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
More than 1 in 4 say gun control is the most
divisive issue in American today
74
Which of the following social issues do you think is the most divisive issue facing
America today?
26%
16%
16%
10%
7%
7%
4%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
Gun control
Gay marriage
Immigration
Abortion
Homosexuality
Drugs
Climate change
Capital punishment
Divorce
Stem cell research
Having a child outside of wedlock
Doctor-assisted suicide
Prostitution
Access to contraception Showing All
74
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Gun control seen as biggest issue
across most subgroups
75
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Gun control 26 25 28 23 30 29 20 31 17 29 26 24 29 24
Gay marriage 16 15 17 21 16 15 12 17 17 14 13 19 16 16
Immigration 16 17 16 11 18 19 15 14 22 15 16 13 14 22
Abortion 10 8 11 9 9 13 8 9 13 9 10 9 10 11
Homosexuality 7 8 7 12 6 4 8 6 6 10 9 6 10 3
Drugs 7 7 7 6 5 6 13 7 5 8 8 10 6 6
Climate change 4 4 3 5 4 2 5 5 2 3 3 5 3 4
Capital punishment 2 1 2 2 1 3 0 2 2 2 2 2 1 2
Divorce 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Stem cell research 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 3 1 5 2 1 2
Having a child outside of
wedlock 2 2 2 1 1 1 7 1 5 2 2 1 2 3
Doctor-assisted suicide 2 2 2 1 3 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 3
Prostitution 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 0 1 1 1 1 1
Access to contraception 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Don't know 2 2 2 2 2 2 5 2 2 2 1 3 3 2
Which of the following social issues do you think is the most divisive issue facing
America today?
Contraception, interracial marriage
among most acceptable behaviors today
76 Showing All
Please indicate whether each of the following is morally
acceptable or morally objectionable.
37%
57%
60%
69%
83%
35%
60%
60%
75%
83%
Interracial
marriage
An unmarried
couple living
together
Pre-marital sex
Having a child
out of wedlock
Physician-
assisted suicide
60%
40%
39%
30%
15%
61%
38%
37%
24%
15%
Objectionable (2012)
Objectionable (2013)
Acceptable (2012)
Acceptable (2013)
Abortion among most objectionable
behaviors
77 Showing All
Please indicate whether each of the following is morally
acceptable or morally objectionable.
41%
41%
53%
69%
78%
37%
47%
52%
69%
79% Sex-ed in
schools
Divorce
Homo-
sexuality
Smoking
marijuana
Abortion
57%
56%
45%
29%
21%
60%
51%
46%
28%
20%
Objectionable (2012)
Objectionable (2013)
Acceptable (2012)
Acceptable (2013)
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Most Americans and especially younger
generations accept alternative lifestyles
78
Please indicate whether each of the
following is morally acceptable or morally
objectionable.
Showing % Morally acceptable / morally
objectionable
All
Age
18-29 30-44 45-64 65+
An unmarried man and woman living together 75/24 83/16 78/21 74/25 59/37
Sex education in public schools 79/20 81/19 82/17 76/23 76/20
Using contraception 87/12 80/20 88/11 90/9 88/7
Interracial marriage 83/15 79/21 86/13 88/10 72/19
Stem cell research 69/25 73/23 68/28 68/29 68/15
Violent videogames/ movies/ TV 46/52 72/28 56/42 39/58 15/82
Pre-marital sex 60/37 71/29 66/33 57/40 40/51
Divorce 69/28 69/30 69/30 68/25 69/27
Having a child out of wedlock 60/38 69/31 65/32 60/37 43/56
Gambling 67/30 68/32 74/25 67/28 56/40
Homosexuality 52/46 66/34 57/40 46/51 34/62
Americans 18-29 are nearly twice as likely to approve of homosexuality than older
Americans over 65
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
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Survey
The role of the American economy
79
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
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Survey
More than half say the free-market
economy helps the American Dream
80
How important is Americas free-market economy in helping individuals reach the
American Dream?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Very important 56 61 51 48 55 56 69 52 67 50 48 54 60 57
Somewhat important 38 33 43 46 36 39 27 41 31 43 46 40 33 39
Not very important 4 3 4 5 5 3 2 5 1 5 5 4 5 3
Not at all important 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 1
56% 38% 4% 1%
Very Somewhat Not very Not at all
2 in 3 Republicans think the free-market economy is very important to achieving the
American Dream
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
68% 25%
68% believe free enterprise system unites us
81
Showing All
Unite Us Divide Us
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
Gun
Owner/ In
Home
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
Unite us 68 72 65 68 63 71 73 64 78 67 70 69 66 70 69 70
Divide us 25 23 27 26 32 26 10 31 17 26 22 27 28 22 24 25
Does the free enterprise system do more to unite us or divide us as a country?
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Reducing gap between rich and poor
82
How important is reducing the gap between the rich and the poor to American unity?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Very important 46 50 44 52 43 49 38 61 28 47 50 41 51 42
Somewhat important 35 30 38 34 38 33 30 31 37 38 35 38 30 38
Not very important 13 14 11 10 13 12 21 6 23 11 12 14 11 15
Not at all important 6 5 6 5 6 6 8 2 11 4 3 6 7 5
46% 35% 13% 6%
Very Somewhat Not very Not at all
Democrats are twice as likely as Republicans to believe it is very important to reduce
the gap between rich and poor
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
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Survey
Rich/poor gap compared to other
countries
83
Do you think America is better off or worse off than other countries when it comes to the
gap between the rich and the poor?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Much better 21 24 19 15 22 23 25 23 26 17 21 18 21 24
Somewhat better 46 44 48 44 47 45 52 44 48 47 46 44 52 41
Somewhat worse 22 21 23 32 21 21 11 23 15 28 25 26 18 22
Much worse 8 10 7 7 8 10 3 9 6 7 7 10 7 8
21% 46% 22% 8%
Much better Somewhat better Somewhat worse Much worse
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
48% think wealthy Americans had more
opportunities than others
84
In your opinion, which of the following is the primary reason wealthy Americans have
achieved financial success?
Showing All
49%
39%
9%
48%
41%
9%
They were born into wealthy
families or had more
opportunities than others
They worked harder than most
others to be successful
They are just lucky
2012
2013
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
They were born into wealthy
families or had more
opportunities than others
48 44 51 53 51 49 33 65 29 48 51 42 50 49
They worked harder than
most others to be successful
41 46 37 36 39 40 58 26 64 36 41 43 40 41
They are just lucky 9 8 10 11 9 9 3 7 6 13 7 12 7 9
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Challenges facing the American economy
85
What do you think is the biggest economic challenge facing the American economy
today?
25%
18%
11%
10%
7%
6%
5%
4%
4%
2%
1%
5%
Unemployment/Jobs
National Debt
High costs of living/inflation
Gap between the rich and the poor
Taxes
Social security and Medicare
Fuel and oil prices
Corporate corruption
Recession
Wage issues
Trade Deficit
Other
Showing All
85
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Strengths of the American economy
86
What do you think is the biggest strength of the American economy?
26%
17%
17%
8%
8%
7%
3%
2%
9%
Technological growth
Quality of the work force
Democratic government
Capital markets
Legal protections
Flexible labor market
Monetary policy
Intellectual property protections
Other Showing All
86
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Nearly half of Americans say capitalism
is very important to the economy
87
How important is a capitalist economy to America?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Very important 45 52 38 40 42 44 61 37 59 40 45 39 49 43
Somewhat important 37 32 41 39 43 37 24 42 28 40 38 42 34 38
Not very important 13 10 15 17 10 14 7 13 9 16 14 13 11 15
Not at all important 3 4 3 2 4 3 3 3 2 4 2 3 4 3
45% 37% 13% 3%
Very Somewhat Not very Not at all
6 in 10 Americans over 65 say capitalism is very important
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Occasional or moderate market regulation is
favored by most Americans
88
Which of the following best reflects your view on how much federal regulation should
exist in the market place?
17%
27%
38%
17%
Strong government
intervention and
regulation keeps markets
fair and protects
consumers
Moderate government
regulation is helpful
Occasional intervention
is sometimes necessary,
as long as the markets
remain essentially free
Markets operate best
without government
intervention
Showing All
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W
Strong government intervention and regulation
keeps markets fair and protects consumers
17 17 17 11 17 20 19 28 7 16 26 13 17 15
Moderate government regulation is helpful 27 25 30 29 31 24 26 32 22 29 28 25 26 31
Occasional intervention is sometimes
necessary, as long as the markets remain
essentially free
38 38 38 41 38 38 36 34 40 39 35 40 41 34
Markets operate best without government
intervention
17 19 15 20 14 17 19 6 31 16 11 20 16 20
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Two-thirds say big corporations have too
much power
89
Do you think that large corporations have too much power in America, about the right
amount of power, or not enough power?
63%
34%
3%
Too much About the right amount Not enough
Showing All
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Too much 63 65 61 58 62 69 55 71 46 67 69 58 60 66
About the right amount 34 33 35 37 36 29 38 26 49 31 29 38 35 32
Not enough 3 2 3 5 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 4 3 2
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
The shifting role of religion in America
90
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
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Survey
96%
98%
89%
89%
1%
1%
11%
10%
Yes No
Fewer Americans are embracing religion

Belief in God has declined significantly from the 1940s and 89% now say they do not
believe in God
91
Do you believe in God?
2012
1967; Gallup
1944; Gallup
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region Religious
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
Yes 89 86 91 81 88 92 94 87 95 86 86 90 90 88 99 77
No 10 13 8 18 11 7 6 12 5 14 13 10 9 11 1 22
Dont know 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1
2013
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
61% 36%
61% believe religion unites Americans
92
Showing All
Unites
Americans
Divides
Americans
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
Gun
Owner/ In
Home
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
Unites Americans 61 59 63 58 55 66 69 60 72 56 49 66 69 55 66 62
Divides Americans 36 39 33 42 42 32 23 39 25 42 49 31 31 39 33 37
Do you think religion does more to unite Americans or divide them?
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
9 in 10 believe unity is possible even with
different religious beliefs
93
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Yes 90 89 91 87 88 93 91 91 91 89 91 90 89 90
No 10 11 9 13 11 7 9 9 9 11 9 10 10 10
Is it possible for Americans to have different religious beliefs and still remain united?
90%
10%
Yes
No
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
58%
40%
58% share their religious beliefs with friends
and family
94
Showing All
Share the same
religious beliefs
Have different
religious beliefs
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
Gun
Owner/ In
Home
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
Share the same religious
beliefs
58 54 62 54 56 60 67 58 68 52 52 62 61 55 60 57
Have different religious
beliefs
40 44 37 43 44 39 32 41 32 46 44 38 38 44 38 42
Generally speaking, do your friends and family
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
39% believe the influence of religion is
decreasing
95
Do you think the influence of religion on American life is
9%
15%
28% 28%
18%
11%
19%
29%
22%
17%
Greatly increasingSlightly increasingNeither increasing
nor decreasing
Slightly
decreasing
Greatly
decreasing
2012
2013
Showing All
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Greatly increasing 11 10 12 14 8 12 11 15 13 7 11 10 13 9
Slightly increasing 19 21 17 20 24 14 19 19 17 21 17 19 18 22
Neither increasing nor
decreasing
29 27 32 36 30 30 18 31 25 31 32 32 26 30
Slightly decreasing 22 24 21 17 21 25 29 23 25 22 22 24 21 23
Greatly decreasing 17 18 17 14 16 19 22 11 21 19 17 14 21 15
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
48%
49%
29%
31%
23%
20%
Very Fairly Not very
However, religion is still important
96
How important is religion in your own life?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Very important 49 43 54 40 42 52 69 50 58 39 39 47 56 47
Fairly important 31 32 30 37 35 29 17 28 31 35 39 32 25 33
Not very important 20 25 16 23 23 18 14 21 11 26 22 22 18 20
2013
2012
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
49% seldom or never attend worships
services
97
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
At least once per week 26 22 29 21 24 28 32 24 36 19 17 28 30 22
Almost every week 13 12 13 13 17 9 11 14 15 10 7 15 13 14
About once per month 12 13 12 13 11 12 15 14 13 11 12 9 15 12
Seldom 27 29 26 31 26 27 23 25 23 33 39 24 24 27
Never 22 23 21 22 22 23 19 23 13 26 25 24 18 25
How often do you attend church, synagogue, mosque, or other worship services?
Showing All
26%
11%
13%
28%
21%
26%
13%
12%
27%
22%
At least once per
week
Almost every
week
About once per
month
Seldom Never
2012 2013
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Nearly half of Americans believe in
intelligent design
98
20%
48%
29%
I believe in evolution only I believe in a combination of
evolution and creationism
I believe in creationism only
Which of the following is closer to your view?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
I believe in evolution only 20 26 15 21 21 20 13 24 16 20 23 16 19 23
I believe in a combination of
evolution and creationism
48 45 51 58 46 50 31 48 40 55 56 50 44 47
I believe in creationism only 29 28 31 20 31 28 45 25 42 23 18 32 33 29
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Political Values
99
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
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Survey
51% 46%
46% believe two party system weakens
America
100
Showing All
Strengthens
America
Weakens
America
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
Gun
Owner/ In
Home
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
Strengthens America 51 51 51 46 49 51 66 53 59 47 52 50 51 52 53 50
Weakens America 46 47 46 53 47 48 28 43 40 52 46 48 47 44 44 47
Do you think Americas two party political system strengthens or weakens America?
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
51% 45%
45% believe political debate divides America
101
Showing All
Unites Divides
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
Gun
Owner/ In
Home
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
Unites 51 57 47 51 48 54 54 55 51 52 57 50 48 53 53 51
Divides 45 42 47 47 49 42 40 43 47 43 38 48 47 43 44 44
Do you believe robust political debate unites or divide America?
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Most believe private citizens and the
President are most unifying
102
Who do you think is most responsible for helping America become more united?
38%
28%
6%
5%
5%
4%
4%
8%
2%
Private citizens
The President
The House of Representatives
The Senate
Local officials
The Supreme Court
State officials
Other
Don't know
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
3 in 5 say its very important for
politicians to be united on the issues
103
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Very important 63 65 61 52 57 71 76 67 61 61 65 56 66 64
Somewhat important 30 27 33 37 35 24 21 28 32 30 30 36 27 29
Not very important 5 4 5 8 5 3 1 4 6 5 5 6 4 5
Not at all important 2 3 1 3 3 2 1 1 2 3 1 2 3 2
How important is it for politicians to be unified on issues that are important to
Americans?
Showing All
63% 30% 5% 2%
Very Somewhat Not very Not at all
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
70% believe its possible for politicians
to cooperate
104
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Yes 70 70 70 74 73 68 61 75 72 66 73 68 69 69
No 29 30 29 26 27 32 35 23 27 34 26 31 30 30
Do you believe it is possible for politicians to come together on issues that matter to
America?
Showing All
70%
29%
Yes
No
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
62% believe elected officials reflect mainly
the values of the wealthy
105
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Middle- and working-class
values are accurately
reflected
34 33 36 44 37 33 18 35 47 26 35 37 32 35
Reflect mainly wealthy
values
62 63 60 56 60 64 68 62 48 70 61 59 63 63
Don't know 4 4 4 1 3 2 14 3 5 3 4 4 5 2
Do you believe that the values of middle- and working-class Americans are reflected
by Americas elected officials, or do our elected officials mainly reflect the values of
the wealthy?
34%
62%
4%
24%
74%
5%
Middle and working class values are
accurately reflected
Reflect mainly wealthy values Don't know
2013
2012
Showing All
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
66% think lobbyists have too much power in
American politics
106
Showing All
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Income
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W < 35k
35k
75k
75k+
Too much 66 70 62 46 63 73 79 64 70 64 70 63 64 67 58 70 73
About the
right
amount
26 22 29 45 30 19 6 27 21 30 24 29 27 21 28 26 22
Not enough 4 5 4 6 5 4 2 5 5 3 4 4 5 3 7 3 3
Do you think that lobbyists have too much power in American politics, about the right
amount of power, or not enough power?
2012
2011
71%
74%
66%
13%
17%
26%
8%
5%
4%
8%
4%
5%
Too much About the right amount Not enough Don't know
2013
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Other Topics
107
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
More than 1 in 3 say science and religion are
not related at all
108
Which of the following is closer to your view?
20%
42%
35%
28%
36%
34%
Science and religion generally
agree with each other
Science and religion generally
conflict with each other
Science and religion generally are
not related in any meaningful way
2012
2013
Showing All
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Science and religion
generally agree with each
other
28 28 28 24 27 26 44 24 35 25 28 33 25 28
Science and religion
generally conflict with each
other
36 37 36 45 35 35 28 38 34 37 35 31 39 39
Science and religion are not
related in any meaningful
way
34 34 34 31 36 37 25 37 29 37 36 33 35 31
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Only 9% of Americans do not believe in
climate change
109
Which of the following is closer to your view?
41%
49%
9%
I believe climate change is man-
made
I believe climate change is naturally
occurring
I don't believe in climate change
Showing All
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
I believe climate change is
man-made
41 44 38 43 42 43 28 51 26 44 50 43 34 42
I believe climate change is
naturally occurring
49 46 52 45 47 48 62 43 58 49 42 48 56 45
I don't believe in climate
change
9 9 9 11 10 7 7 5 15 6 7 9 8 10
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
Increase in excitement about scientific
advancement
110
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Excited 68 72 65 72 72 66 59 72 65 69 72 65 66 71
Nervous 27 23 30 27 24 31 22 25 27 27 25 33 28 20
When you read about a major scientific advancement in the news, do you usually feel
more excited or more nervous?
68%
27%
5%
Excited
Nervous
Don't
Know
Showing All
58%
34%
8%
Excited
Nervous
Don't
Know
2013 2012
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
49%
51%
50%
46%
51% believe in protecting gun rights
111
Showing All
Protect the right
to own guns
Control gun
ownership
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
Gun
Owner/ In
Home
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
Protect the right to own
guns
51 54 48 48 51 50 56 30 74 50 40 52 55 51 75 41
Control gun ownership 46 44 49 49 46 47 41 68 25 47 56 44 43 46 23 56
What do you think is more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns,
or to control gun ownership?
2013
2012
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
38%
41%
36%
35%
34%
51%
55%
62%
64%
64%
11%
4%
2%
1%
2%
Should be Should not be Don't know
Growing percentages oppose any outright
bans on handgun ownership
112
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
Gun
Owner/ In
Home
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
Should be 34 32 35 42 35 31 28 47 23 35 42 32 31 34 16 43
Should not be 64 66 62 57 64 67 69 52 76 65 57 65 67 64 82 56
Don't know 2 1 3 1 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 3 2 2 2 1
Do you think there should or should not be a law that would ban the possession of
handguns, except by the police and other authorized persons?
Showing All 1980; Gallup
1990; Gallup
2000; Gallup
2012
2013
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
10%
37%
34%
10%
3%
11%
33%
30%
13%
11%
13%
32% 32%
10%
11%
A B C D FAIL
2002
2012
2013
Most Americans would give their local public
schools and B or a C
113
Showing All
Using the scale of A, B, C, D, or FAIL, what grade would you give the
public schools in your district?

All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Income
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W
<
35k
35k-
75k
75k+
A 13 14 12 9 14 12 16 13 11 14 12 12 15 8 14 10 16
B 32 33 32 29 36 32 30 37 32 29 36 36 29 30 28 34 36
C 32 31 34 39 28 33 31 32 34 32 29 29 33 36 34 32 31
D 10 11 8 13 8 9 9 8 8 12 12 8 7 13 10 11 7
FAIL 11 10 11 9 12 12 8 7 14 11 8 11 12 10 12 11 9
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
One Nation
Divisible
Survey
2%
22%
47%
13%
3% 3%
17%
45%
22%
10%
4%
18%
43%
19%
12%
A B C D FAIL
2002
2012
2013
Almost half give our public schools a C
114
Showing All
And what about the public schools in the nation as a whole? What grade
would you give the public schools nationally A, B, C, D, or FAIL?

All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Income
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W < 35k
35k-
75k
75k+
A 4 5 4 6 4 3 5 5 5 3 4 3 6 4 7 3 3
B 18 19 17 21 19 17 16 23 17 16 24 18 17 16 17 17 23
C 43 38 47 42 45 45 36 47 42 42 41 45 41 45 43 46 41
D 19 21 17 20 18 20 18 14 19 23 19 19 18 20 15 20 21
FAIL 12 13 10 10 13 13 10 7 13 13 9 12 14 10 12 13 9