New nationwide polling shows the U.S. is deeply divided over its identity and future as the country approaches its 250th anniversary [1, 2].
These findings suggest a growing instability in the American social contract. The data indicates a shift in how citizens perceive the foundational values of the republic, coinciding with an increase in the acceptance of extreme measures to achieve political goals.
According to a PBS News/NPR/Marist poll and an AP-NORC poll conducted in June 2026, fewer Americans now say democracy is central to the nation's identity [1, 2]. Respondents said that the country has drifted from its founding ideals, leading many to doubt the concept of American exceptionalism [1, 2].
This sense of decline is reflected in the broader national mood. A majority of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track as it prepares for its semiquincentennial celebrations [3]. This dissatisfaction has manifested in a growing share of the population saying that violence may be necessary to set the country on the right path [1, 2].
Legislative efforts to address these divisions have met with mixed results. Just over 50% of Americans support the SAVE America Act [4]. The split in support reflects a broader trend of polarization across the U.S. population.
Researchers said that the sentiment of drifting from founding ideals is a primary driver behind the willingness to consider drastic measures [1, 2]. The polls highlight a tension between the official celebrations of the nation's history and the lived experience of a citizenry that feels the country has lost its way.
“Fewer Americans say democracy is central to the nation’s identity.”
The convergence of these polls suggests that the 250th anniversary of the U.S. is occurring during a period of profound ideological crisis. The decline in the perceived centrality of democracy, paired with a rising tolerance for political violence, indicates that the U.S. is experiencing a breakdown in consensus regarding the legitimate means of political change and national identity.
