The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 3, 2023
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
A frightening survey released last week found substantial increases in the number of Americans who thought that the country needed leaders to break rules – authoritarianism – and that violence may be needed, to QUOTE “save our country.”
The majority of Americans still disagree with those positions, according to the survey conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute and the Brookings Institution. But 23% of Americans agreed with the statement, “Because things have gotten so far off track, true American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to save our country. That’s up 8% from 2021. The increase is among all partisan groups, too, including 33% of Republicans, 22% of independents, and 13% of Democrats.
The survey also found a disturbing trend of Americans supporting a leader not following the rules if it meant a change in political direction of the country.
Four in ten Americans agree with the statement, “Because things have gotten so far off track in this country, we need a leader who is willing to break some rules if that’s what it takes to set things right.” This bend toward authoritarian rule is not just among the 48% of Republicans who agreed; 38% of independents and 29% of Democrats concurred.
Where DO most Americans agree?: 77% of Americans feel their country is headed the wrong direction.
We have a link to the full survey results at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Public Religion Research Institute/Brookings – Survey Summary: Threats to American Democracy Ahead of an Unprecedented Presidential Election
Public Religion Research Institute/Brookings – Slide Deck Presentation: Threats to American Democracy Ahead of an Unprecedented Presidential Election
Public Religion Research Institute/Brookings – Webinar: What do Americans think about the health of our democracy and the upcoming presidential election?
NPR – More Americans say they support political violence ahead of the 2024 election
Journal of Democracy – The Rise of Political Violence in the United States
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#Democracy #DemocracyNews #Survey #SaveDemocracy #BrookingsInstitution #PoliticalViolence