{"id":13027,"date":"2015-12-11T11:35:28","date_gmt":"2015-12-11T16:35:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/%year%\/%monthnum%\/%day%\/patriotic-honest-and-selfish-how-americans-describe-americans\/"},"modified":"2024-04-14T03:18:45","modified_gmt":"2024-04-14T08:18:45","slug":"patriotic-honest-and-selfish-how-americans-describe-americans","status":"publish","type":"short-read","link":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2015\/12\/11\/patriotic-honest-and-selfish-how-americans-describe-americans\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriotic, honest and selfish: How Americans describe \u2026 Americans"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Most<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

The American public has shown itself to be quite critical in its views of politicians and the federal government, expressing low levels of trust in both. Yet a recent Pew Research Center survey of attitudes about government<\/a> also finds that Americans pull no punches when assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their fellow citizens.<\/p>\n\n

The public gives the \u201ctypical American\u201d a mixed assessment when asked about specific traits. Most (79%) agree that the term \u201cpatriotic\u201d describes the typical American very or fairly well, and majorities also view the typical American as \u201chonest\u201d (69%) and \u201cintelligent\u201d (67%).<\/p>\n\n

However, just over two-thirds (68%) say the term \u201cselfish\u201d also applies to the typical American very or fairly well, and half of the public says that the typical American can be aptly described as \u201clazy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\"Millennials<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

In general, younger people tend have more negative views of the typical American than do older adults. Millennials, who are highly critical of members of their own generation<\/a>, are especially likely to see the typical American as lazy: 63% say that term applies at least fairly well, compared with no more than about half in older age cohorts.<\/p>\n\n

It\u2019s worth noting, however, that in a separate Pew Research Center survey<\/a> released today, few Americans call themselves<\/em> \u201clazy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\"Both<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

When it comes to politics, the public also is self-critical: Just 34% say they have \u201cvery great\u201d or a \u201cgood\u201d deal of trust and confidence in the political wisdom of the American people. Fully 63% have \u201cnot very much\u201d confidence or \u201cno confidence at all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

These views have changed dramatically since 2007, when a majority (57%) had at least a good deal of trust and confidence in the American people\u2019s political wisdom. The decline has come among both Democrats and Republicans: Just 37% of Democrats and Democratic leaners have at least a good deal of confidence in the public\u2019s political wisdom, as do 36% of Republicans and Republican leaners, down from 57% and 61%, respectively, eight years ago.<\/p>\n\n

However, even as the public readily acknowledges the shortcomings of Americans, a\u00a0majority nonetheless see themselves as better able than politicians to solve the nation\u2019s problems.<\/p>\n\n

Most Americans (56%) acknowledge that the big issues facing the country lack clear solutions. Yet a comparable majority (55%) says that \u201cordinary Americans\u201d could do a better job than elected officials of solving the country\u2019s problems. Only about four-in-ten (39%) say elected officials could do no better than the politicians.<\/p>\n\n

\"Most<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

The belief that ordinary people are superior problem-solvers is particularly widespread among the minority of Americans (22%) who say they are angry with the federal government. Among those angry at government, 73% say ordinary Americans could do better than politicians. That compares with 53% of those who are frustrated, but not angry, with government and 40% of those who are basically content with the federal government.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Americans pull no punches when assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their fellow 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