Surveys Show that Democrats — Not Just Republicans — are Proud to be American

From the Left

This view is from a writer rated Lean Left.

Surveys show majorities of Democrats and Republicans are proud to be American, preferring life in the U.S. to any other place. Many people agree on key aspects of what it means to be a “true American.”

A false narrative popular today states that Republicans are extremely proud of America and don't see any faults, while Democrats are embarrassed by America and only see faults. Surveys show this is a gross overstatement. A majority of Democrats are still proud to be American, and majorities in both parties say that some things about America make them ashamed.

By and large, Democrats and Republicans are proud to be Americans, yet they are not blind to the country's faults.

Check out the surveys below from the past few years.

Archbridge Institute and the Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth

(Survey conducted October 2020)

• 87% of American adults were proud to be American, including 99% of Republicans and conservatives, 82% of Democrats, and 75% of liberals

Harvard Carr Center

(Survey conducted July 6, 2020 - July 28, 2020)

• 74% of Americans said “I would rather live in America than any other place,” including 89% of Republicans, 71% of Democrats, and 68% of Independents
• 74% of Americans said “Some things about America make me ashamed” including 84% of Democrats, 74% of Independents, and 60% of Republicans
• 73% of Americans said “I’d rather be a citizen of US than any other country” including 91% of Republicans, 67% of Democrats, and 67% of Independents
• 71% of Americans believed that “Americans have more in common with each other than many people think,” including 78% of Republicans, 74% of Democrats, and 66% of Independents

More In Common

(Survey conducted July 11, 2020 - July 20, 2020)

• 80% of Americans said that they were “grateful to be an American,” including 95% of Republicans and 74% of Democrats
• 79% of Americans said that “if I could choose to live anywhere in the world, I would still pick America,” including 94% of Republicans and 72% of Democrats
• 74% of Americans said that they are “proud to be an American,” including 93% of Republicans and 66% of Democrats

YouGov

(Survey conducted June 18, 2020 - June 19, 2020)

• 70% of Americans were at least “somewhat proud” to be an American, including 92% of Republicans and 61% of Democrats.

Gallup

(Survey conducted June 3, 2019- June 13, 2019)

• 88% of Americans were at least “moderately proud” to be American, including 98% of Republicans and 84% of Democrats
• 70% of Americans were at least “very proud” to be American, including 95% of Republicans and 51% of Democrats.

Grinnell College

(Survey conducted November 24, 2018 - November 27, 2018)

In response to a question about what it means to be a “real American”:

• 90% of Americans believed it involved treating people equally (90%)
• 88% of Americans believed it involved taking personal responsibility for one’s actions
• 81% of Americans believed it involved accepting people of different racial backgrounds
• 78% of Americans believed it involved accepting people of different religious backgrounds

Statista

(Survey conducted June 1, 2016 - June 7, 2016)

• About 80% of Americans owned some patriotic merchandise, including 60% with an American flag, while only 16% owned no patriotic merchandise

Bella Jasper is currently a high school student who is deeply interested in politics and journalism. In her writing, she hopes to provide a sense of commonality in politics. Bella has a Lean Left bias.

This piece was edited by AllSides.com Managing Editor Henry A. Brechter (Center bias) and News Editor Micaela Ricaforte (Center bias), and was reviewed by James Coan (Center) of Braver Angels.