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Gallup Survey Finds Politics Tops Americans' Concerns, Surpassing Global Issues

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Political Issues Emerge as Leading Concern Among Americans One-third of U.S. respondents in Gallup’s 2025 poll of 107 countries named politics and government the most important problem, ranking just behind Taiwan and equal to Slovenia, Spain and South Korea [1]. Older Americans show stronger focus: about 40% of those 35 and older listed politics as top issue versus roughly 20% of younger adults [1]. The poll, conducted March‑October 2025, surveyed people aged 15 and older with a sampling error of ±2.4‑4.7 percentage points [1].

Economic Affordability Remains Priority for Younger Demographic Roughly 33% of adults 35 and under identified economics or affordability as their primary concern, compared with only 13% of respondents 55 and older [1]. Younger Americans expressed higher worry levels than peers in most other surveyed nations [1]. This generational split contrasts with the older cohort’s emphasis on political stability [1].

Experts Attribute Political Anxiety to Polarization and Economic Outlook Gallup analysts Benedict Vigers described the United States as “really unique” in its heightened anxiety about democratic stability [1]. Frank Newport noted the issue’s rise alongside partisan shifts, reaching Watergate‑level salience after the 2016 election [1]. Dartmouth political scientist Brendan Nyhan warned that low economic optimism fuels willingness to destabilize institutions, with declining social trust eroding democratic health [1].

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Primary Data (1)

Quinnipac: 7 Out Of 10 Voters Do Not Want The U.S. To Take Military Action Against Iran For Killing Of Protesters, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; 70% Say Presidents Should Seek Congressional Approval Before Taking Military Action Against Another Country

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Timeline

1972‑1974 – The Watergate scandal erodes public trust in government, later becoming the benchmark for the “Watergate‑level” political anxiety recorded in 2025‑2026 surveys [3].

Nov 2016 – The U.S. presidential election intensifies partisan polarization, a shift Gallup experts link to the steep rise in political anxiety that peaks after this year [3].

2020 – Approval of capitalism among young Americans stands at 45%, providing the baseline from which the 2025 Harvard poll records a decline to 39% [2].

Mar‑Oct 2025 – Gallup surveys 107 countries, finding Americans rank politics and government as the top national issue and describing the anxiety as comparable to the Watergate era [3].

Nov 3‑7 2025 – Harvard Kennedy School polls 2,040 adults aged 18‑29; only 13% say the U.S. is headed in the right direction, 43% report financial insecurity, and 64% view democracy as troubled [2].

Dec 4 2025 – The Harvard poll reports that 46% of registered voters favor Democratic control of Congress in the 2026 midterms, while 29% prefer the GOP [2].

Jan 16‑19 2026 – Economist/YouGov surveys 1,722 U.S. adults, finding 71% describe the country as out of control; among Republicans, 50% say out of control versus 38% saying it is under control, and 91% of Harris voters share the out‑of‑control view [1].

Jan 21 2026 – Release of the out‑of‑control poll highlights broad domestic unease and a public preference for congressional oversight of military action, echoing earlier AP‑NORC and Quinnipiac findings [1].

Feb 4 2026 – Gallup releases its global results, quoting Benedict Vigers that the U.S. is “really unique” in its democratic anxiety and Frank Newport noting a steady rise since 2000, reaching Watergate‑level salience after 2016 [3].

Nov 2026 (midterms) – Anticipated congressional elections are set to test Democratic advantage among young voters (46% preference) and could shape policy responses to the pervasive political and economic anxiety documented in 2025‑2026 polls [2].

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