AP-NORC Poll: Only 1 in 4 Americans See US as Exceptional Ahead of 250th Anniversary

A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals a stark decline in American optimism as the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary. Only about one-quarter of U.S.

adults believe the United States stands above all other countries, while 44% say it is one of the greatest nations alongside others. Nearly 3 in 10 respondents now say there are better countries than the U.S., up from 19% in a similar poll conducted in June 2016.

The survey, conducted April 16-20 among 2,596 adults, highlights growing unease about the future of representative government, particularly among younger Americans. Just over half of adults under 30 believe a democratically elected government is highly important to U.S.

identity, compared with 81% of those aged 60 and older. Overall, about two-thirds of U.S.

adults now say a democratically elected government is essential to the nation's identity, down from 80% in 2021.

Derricka Wall, a 24-year-old from Chickasaw, Alabama, expressed disappointment with the current political system. "It's not that the democracy part is not working," she said.

"It's the people that are actually being put in office that is the problem." Wall believes the founding fathers would be "disappointed" with how the country has evolved.

Kent Stage, a 62-year-old retired Army veteran and registered Republican from Indiana, echoed similar sentiments. "I'll trust the ambulance-chasing lawyer and a shady used car salesman before I trust the politician," he said, advocating for term limits and more working-class representation.

The poll also found widespread cynicism about the American Dream. About half of U.S.

adults (51%) say the idea that hard work leads to success once held true but no longer does. Only 22% of Americans under 30 believe the American Dream still holds true, compared with 46% of those aged 60 and older.

Republicans are far more optimistic, with 57% saying the dream remains attainable, versus 17% of Democrats.

Angela Toombs, a 31-year-old worker at a senior living facility in Atlanta, recently gave up her own apartment to rent a room to save money. She noted that older clients often express disbelief at the obstacles facing her generation.

Quintin Sharpe, a 28-year-old Republican financial planner in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, remains proud of the country. "The opportunity is there for those who want to work for it," he said, calling the U.S.

"a meritocracy."

Americans remain divided on the role of diversity in national identity. About half of adults say the ability of people to come from other places to escape violence or find economic opportunities is highly important to U.S.

identity, while 55% say the same about the mixing of cultures. Only about 4 in 10 Republicans see cultural mixing as central, compared with 76% of Democrats.

Rose Nunez, a 70-year-old former small business owner from San Antonio, said tensions are high, especially toward Hispanics. "It is hard to celebrate when the feelings towards immigrants and communities of color are so strong," she said, referring to the upcoming America 250 celebrations.

The poll's margin of sampling error is plus or minus 2 percentage points.