July 02, 2007

Zogby Poll: U.S. Constitution Wearing Well in Modern America

But Zogby newsletter poll shows wide majority feels the two–party political system is not working well; Most want more options

As the nation marks its 231st birthday Wednesday, most Americans believe the U.S. Constitution is still serving the nation well, a new Zogby Interactive poll shows.

Nine out of 10 respondents to a recent online survey said that, despite the massive changes that have occurred in the U.S. since the ratification of the Constitution in 1788, the guiding document of the nation is still relevant to modern life in America.

The survey included 5,651 respondents and was conducted June 19–21, 2007. It carries a margin of error of +/– 1.3 percentage points. Results from the wide–ranging poll can be found in the July edition of Zogby’s Real America Newsletter, available at www.zogby.com. The current edition of the newsletter explores a wide variety of topics having to do with the nation’s birthday and with the hot topic of immigration.

Half said the Constitution was “completely relevant” to modern life. By contrast, just 1% said it was not at all relevant, while 7% said it was not very relevant. Those at the liberal end of the political spectrum were more likely to be dissatisfied with the founding document’s guiding of life today in America, but moderates were most disenchanted. Among the very liberal, 46% said the Constitution was “very relevant,” compared to 79% of the very conservative who said the same. Among moderates, just 37% agreed.

Younger respondents were less convinced of its relevance in modern society. Racial minorities were somewhat less likely to say it was relevant, compared to whites.

The newsletter survey also shows that, by a wide majority, most Americans are displeased with the current two–party political system. Two out of three adults – 67% – said they were dissatisfied with the Democrat–versus–Republican dominated system, while just 31% said they were happy with it.

Oddly, just 32% of Democrats and 40% of Republicans said they were pleased, while majorities were dissatisfied. Among those who described themselves as political independents, just 19% were satisfied, while 80% said they were unhappy. The poll revealed serious intensity of emotion against the current system among independents – 49% said they were “very dissatisfied” with the current political arrangement in America.

Asked if they thought a system that included more political parties would make the country’s politics better, 53% agreed. Liberals were more interested in new options, the poll shows – 64% of liberals said more parties would improve the system, compared to just 38% of conservatives who said the same thing. Among Democrats, 58% said they believed more parties would improve the system, compared to just 38% of Republicans who agreed. Among independents, 64% agreed more political parties would help.

The Zogby’s Real America Newsletter poll also shows most people believe the founding fathers would not look kindly on a laundry list of government regulations that modern Americans face every day, as this chart shows:

(7/2/2007)