The United States stands out in a recent 25-country survey by the Pew Research Center: Americans are uniquely pessimistic about the morality of their own people. Unlike citizens of most other nations who generally trust the ethical standing of those around them, a majority of U.S. adults (53%) believe their fellow Americans are “morally bad” – exceeding those who see them as “morally good” (47%).
The Roots of Distrust: Political Polarization
The U.S. isn’t necessarily harsher on specific behaviors. When asked about issues like abortion or alcohol consumption, Americans fall near the middle of the international pack in terms of moral judgment. The real outlier is their overall distrust of other Americans. Experts suggest this stems from extreme political polarization.
Psychologist John Jost of New York University argues that this division is driven by opposing ideological camps. Religious conservatives may view liberals as immoral, while progressives increasingly see Republicans—particularly during the Trump era—as corrupt, undemocratic, and prejudiced. This isn’t just disagreement; it’s a deep-seated moral condemnation.
A Long-Term Trend?
While this is the first time Pew has asked this specific question, broader trends suggest this isn’t new. Gallup polls show declining moral acceptance of behaviors like unmarried sex and gender transitions in the U.S. over the past few years. The trend indicates that Americans are becoming less tolerant of behaviors they deem immoral.
Comparing to Other Nations
In stark contrast, Canada and Indonesia ranked highest in believing their citizens were morally good. University of Toronto sociologist Scott Schieman points out that politics in the U.S. are far more personal and divisive than in Canada. Americans are more likely to view political opponents as fundamentally immoral, rather than simply disagreeing with their policies. The rhetoric employed by figures like Donald Trump, who labeled the media “the enemy of the people,” exemplifies this extreme judgment.
The U.S. uniquely weaponizes morality in its political discourse, leading to a widespread distrust of fellow citizens.
The survey’s findings highlight a disturbing reality: Americans are more likely to judge each other harshly than any other nation surveyed. This trend underscores the depth of polarization in American society and raises questions about the future of social cohesion.
