2012-06-03-皮尤-Partisan_Polarization_Surges_in_Bush,_Obama_Years_168页_1mb

Summary of the 2012 American Values Survey: Trends in American Values 1987-2012

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Partisan Polarization

• Partisan discrepancy on political values has surged, with an average partisan gap of 18 points across 48 value issues—nearly doubling from 10 points in 1987.
• Key areas of polarization include the government's role, environment, foreign policy, immigration, and religious values.
• Economic polarization increased under Bush and Obama, with Republicans shifting toward more fiscal conservatism and Democrats toward social liberalism.

Decline in Government Approval

• Disapproval of the federal government has risen dramatically, from a low of 50% "not very satisfied" in 1987 to 62% in 2012.
• Similar concerns exist with citizens' roles, with 69% supporting the social safety net in 2009 vs. 59% in 2012, reflecting a drop in government trust among Republicans.

Social Values and Culture

• Views on social issues like marriage, family, race, and religion remain divided.
• Fewer Americans express firm religious beliefs, yet partisan differences on culture pose a growing risk, with Democrats increasingly secular and Republicans embracing traditional values.
• All-time record rejection of discrimination against minorities peaked, with over 65% seeing barriers to equal opportunity.

Economic Values

• Opinions on inequality are divided, but perceive stricter gaps widened; the belief that the rich get richer is widespread and increasingly partisan.
• Hard work is seen as a guarantee of success by 35% in 2016, little changed since the late 90s, but perception varies by demographics.

Key Changes by Issue

Summary

From 1987 to 2012, American values grew increasingly polarized. While core beliefs about opportunity and national progress held stable, divisions over government, environment, inequality, and cultural issues intensified. The rise in partisan identity politics has created significantly more dysfunctions in national policy discussions.