partisanship

Survey report December 9, 2020

A Turning Point? Americans Grapple With COVID-19 Amid Enduring Partisan and Racial Divisions

Daniel A. Cox, Karlyn Bowman

The November 2020 APS explores how Americans are grappling with COVID-19 amid soaring numbers of infections. Though large partisan divisions persist, more Americans say they would get a free, FDA-approved vaccine. It also challenges the “shy Trump voter” hypothesis and explores possible explanations for Trump’s increased support among non-white voters. Continue Reading →

Blog October 21, 2020

Don’t Believe the Trump Hype: Who is Actually Protesting in 2020

Samuel J. Abrams

Even with COVID-19 dominating the news and people being asked to stay home and social distance, Americans are leaving their homes to protest the state of the nation ahead of the November Presidential election. Continue Reading →

Blog October 7, 2020

For Republicans, Abortion Attitudes Differ Depending on the Composition of Their Social Circle

Daniel A. Cox, Samantha Goldstein

Photo of a hand holding up a sign that says "We're not ovaryacting"

Although abortion attitudes are highly polarized between the two parties and the issue remains contentious, among Republicans, views vary depending on their political networks. Continue Reading →

Commentary June 27, 2020

Trump’s in Danger of Losing Some of His Most Faithful Voters

Daniel A. Cox

It seems clear that Trump’s response to the COVID-19 crisis has hurt him politically. The AEI survey finds that the public has become increasingly critical of Trump’s response to the pandemic, even among his most loyal supporters. Continue Reading →

Survey report February 6, 2020

Partisan Attachment: How Politics is Changing Dating and Relationships in the Trump Era

Daniel A. Cox, Jacqueline Clemence, Eleanor O'Neil

Cartoon of a Republican elephant and a Democrat donkey, multiple elephants in showing affection to one another and multiple donkeys showing affection to one another

The January 2020 American Perspectives Survey explores dating and relationships. Abortion and Donald Trump are key dating dealbreakers for many Americans. Continue Reading →

Survey report October 2, 2019

Public views of political compromise and conflict and partisan misperceptions

Daniel A. Cox, Jacqueline Clemence, Eleanor O'Neil

The inaugural American Perspectives Survey takes a new look at political compromise, disagreement, and perceptions of the demographic makeup of Democrats and Republicans, revealing topics of agreement and misconception among the public. Continue Reading →

Commentary September 18, 2019

The Christian Right is Helping Drive Liberals Away From Religion

Daniel A. Cox, Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux

Liberals have been leaving organized religion in high numbers over the past few decades. Blaming the Democrats doesn’t capture the profound role that conservative Christian activists have played in transforming the country’s religious landscape. Continue Reading →

Survey Reports

Daniel A. Cox, Jae Grace, Avery Shields
April 27, 2026

Strangers Next Door: The Decline of Neighborhood Socializing and the Class Divide in Belonging

Acknowledgment The American Enterprise Institute’s Survey Center on American Life is grateful to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation for its generous support of this research. As Americans spend more of their time online, the neighborhood—once a primary physical location for real-world socialization—is playing less of a central role than ever before. Since Continue Reading →

Daniel A. Cox, Kelsey Eyre Hammond
November 20, 2025

Individuality and Moral Behavior: A Generational Divide in Moral Judgments and Self-Expression

Younger and older Americans increasingly disagree on the morality of certain behaviors, reflecting deep shifts in views about individuality, self-expression, and the role of community and faith. Continue Reading →

Daniel A. Cox
July 2, 2025

America’s Cultural Crossroads: Enduring Discontent, Rising Disconnection, and an Uncertain Future

A new survey from the Survey Center on American Life shows Americans are changing course on major cultural issues—from immigration and gay rights to gender roles and public trust. Continue Reading →

Daniel A. Cox, Kelsey Eyre Hammond
January 29, 2025

Romantic Recession: How Politics, Pessimism, and Anxiety Shape American Courtship

A new report by the Survey Center on American life finds that safety concerns and declining trust are reshaping modern dating, leaving many singles feeling pessimistic about their prospects. Sharp gender divides in attitudes toward dating apps, trust, and relationships reveal how these challenges are redefining the search for connection. Continue Reading →