2009-05-20-皮尤-Independents_Take_Center_Stage_in_Obama_Era_165页_633kb

Summary of "Trends in Political Values and Core Attitudes: 1987-2009"

by The Pew Research Center

This extensive report analyzes broad shifts in American political values, party affiliation, and public opinion from 1987 to 2009. The study identifies three core themes: the rise of political independence, partisan divergence, and changing views on government and societal values.

---

Key Findings:

1. Independents Take Center Stage

   • Independents (36% of adults) are at historic highs, surpassing Democrats to dominate the electorate. Independents lean more democratic than they did in 2004 but increasingly conservative on social issues like taxes and government regulation.
   • Democratic and Republican leaners ("leans") combined give Democrats a clear edge, but the divide over core values is widening.

2. ** Growing Partisan Polarization**

   • The partisan divide is wide across most political values: Republicans and Democrats hold starkly opposed views on government size, regulation, foreign policy (e.g., military strength), environmental protection, taxes, and wealth distribution.
   • Republicans express greater isolation and skepticism toward government, while Democrats feel significantly more support and trust, especially post-Obama election.

3. Economic and Social Attitudes

   • Economic anxiety dominates, with concerns about job loss and inequality leading to calls for government action, even as concerns about government overreach grow among those worried about its involvement in health care.
   • Views on gender roles, religion, and gay marriage show relatively little change, with younger generations more supportive of LGBTQ rights than older ones.

---

Charts Included:

• Party affiliation trends, indices of values, satisfaction surveys, and policy attitudes.

---

This summary focuses on pivotal trends, while the full report dives deep into demographics, methodology, and historical comparisons to provide context for ongoing American political discourse.