{"id":298623,"date":"2026-04-15T10:54:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T14:54:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?post_type=short-read&p=298623"},"modified":"2026-04-15T10:54:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T14:54:59","slug":"americans-stand-out-internationally-for-their-pessimism-about-the-nations-political-system","status":"publish","type":"short-read","link":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2026\/04\/15\/americans-stand-out-internationally-for-their-pessimism-about-the-nations-political-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Americans stand out internationally for their pessimism about the nation\u2019s political system"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A demonstrator stands with an American flag planted in his coat during a protest in front of the U.S. Treasury Department in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 4, 2025. (Hossein Fatemi\/Middle East Images\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

People in higher-income countries are generally more likely to say their nation\u2019s political system needs only minor or no changes, according to recent Pew Research Center surveys. Conversely, people in middle-income countries are more likely to say their political system needs major changes or complete reform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United States, however, is a notable exception to this pattern. Despite having the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of any of our surveyed countries, 77% of Americans say the nation\u2019s political system needs major changes or complete reform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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U.S. stands out among high-income nations for unhappiness with political system<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
% who say their political system needs major changes <\/strong>or complete reform<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n
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Source: Spring 2025 Global Attitudes Survey. Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita comes from the World Bank, accessed March 23, 2026.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
PEW RESEARCH CENTER<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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