The second annual national index that quantifies and tracks levels of division, identifies causes and seeks ways to establish a unifying and constructive national dialogue.
Conducted by The Common Good in association with Emerson College Polling, TCGI is based on a national multimodal survey of 1000 18+ U.S. residents. Data was collected Fall 2023. For the 2022 TCGI click here.
NATIONAL DIVISION IS A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY
Seventy-two percent of those surveyed agree that national division is a threat to our democracy, an 11-point increase in the last year. Seventy-one percent of respondents believe that internal conflicts are a larger threat to our country than external threats.
SELECT PRESS & LINKS
Press Release: “Study Shows Some Good News Out of an Increasingly Divided US.” The Common Good (Link)
Newsweek: “There Is Actually Some Good News Out of Our National Division” Opinion by Patricia Duff and Tom Rogers (Full article)
Emerson College Polling: "The Common Good Index 2023” (Link)
SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS
National Survey Quantifies & Tracks National Division
The Common Good Index of National Division (TCGI) is at 71.4. In this second annual survey, there has been a half-point increase in national division.
The TCGI is an annual measurement of the level of national division with a focus on quantifying and tracking the problem and helping to define solutions.
SHARED VALUES REMAINS TOP NATIONAL UNIFIER
“Shared Values” have the greatest potential to unite us as a nation and repair growing national divisions (19%/-2 points). Followed by “National Crises” (17%) and “National Defense/External Threats” (14%/-3).
POLITICS ARE DIVIDING FRIENDS AND FAMILY FOR OVER HALF THE COUNTRY
59% of Americans now say they have friends and family with whom they can no longer discuss politics civilly or respectfully. (+6 points)
Damaged Democracy
62% of Americans believe the country is so divided, it can no longer operate effectively. (+3 points)
72% believe national division is a threat to democracy. (+11 points)
16% OF AMERICANS SAY POLITICAL VIOLENCE IS SOMETIMES JUSTIFIED
While 9% of respondents say political violence is often justified and 5% always justified.
As the age of participants increased, their justification of political violence decreased exponentially. 26% of 18–29-year-olds responded that political violence is never justified. Contrarily, 65% of those ages 60+ replied that political violence is never justified.
Americans lack core civics education
64% believe Americans today do not have a basic understanding of American history and the Constitutional principles on which the country was founded.
Political Party Process Drives National Division
Those surveyed believed both parties (41% Democratic Party and 48% for the Republican Party) are dominated by extremists and conclude this cut off access to moderate candidates.
CONFIDENCE OF ELECTION FAIRNESS INCREASES
61% of Americans are confident that the 2024 national elections will be counted fairly and accurately. (-18 points)
22% (-8) of Republicans are not at all confident, compared to 4% (-10) of Democrats and 12% (-2) of Independents.
71% WANT THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO COMPROMISE TO WITH OTHER PARTY
18% want their officials to fight for what they believe in a refuse to compromise until they get everything they want.
The Danger Within
71% of Americans believe the greatest threat to the country is from internal rather than external forces. (-7 points)
Contact: Patricia Duff patriciaduff@thecommongood.net 212-599-7040
