(The Guardian) More Americans than you might think have an affinity for unelected leaders, according to new data from the Axios-Ipsos Two Americas Index.
The survey shows that anti-democratic views exist among minorities of both Republicans and Democrats, with 33% of voters surveyed agreeing with the statement “Strong, unelected leaders are better than weak elected ones”. That includes 31% of Democrats and 42% of Republicans.
“The findings from this poll shatter the myth that Americans overwhelmingly agree on a common set of democratic values around checks and balances on elected leaders, protection of minority rights and freedom of speech,” Axios wrote, adding that the data also runs counter to president Joe Biden’s insistence that Trump supporters pose the biggest threat to democracy.
Democrats outpolled Republicans on the question of “Presidents should be able to remove judges whose decisions go against the national interest”, with 29% of GOP voters agreeing with that against 42% of Democrats – perhaps a reflection of outrage over recent decisions by the conservative-dominated supreme court.
A significant 38% of voters polled agreed with the statement “Government should side with the majority over ethnic/religious minority rights”, with Republicans and Democrats drawing about even in support.
www.axios.com
The survey shows that anti-democratic views exist among minorities of both Republicans and Democrats, with 33% of voters surveyed agreeing with the statement “Strong, unelected leaders are better than weak elected ones”. That includes 31% of Democrats and 42% of Republicans.
“The findings from this poll shatter the myth that Americans overwhelmingly agree on a common set of democratic values around checks and balances on elected leaders, protection of minority rights and freedom of speech,” Axios wrote, adding that the data also runs counter to president Joe Biden’s insistence that Trump supporters pose the biggest threat to democracy.
Democrats outpolled Republicans on the question of “Presidents should be able to remove judges whose decisions go against the national interest”, with 29% of GOP voters agreeing with that against 42% of Democrats – perhaps a reflection of outrage over recent decisions by the conservative-dominated supreme court.
A significant 38% of voters polled agreed with the statement “Government should side with the majority over ethnic/religious minority rights”, with Republicans and Democrats drawing about even in support.
Two Americas Index: Some Americans support unelected leaders, firing judges
The new poll suggests a large minority of Americans is willing to get rid of basic democratic norms.
www.axios.com
