CBS News Poll Finds Majority of Americans See Nation Succeeding on Founding Ideals

A CBS News/YouGov survey of 2,150 U.S. adults conducted June 23-26 found that a big majority say the nation has succeeded in achieving its founding ideals at least a fair amount. The poll, weighted to match Census and 2024 vote benchmarks with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7 points, also recorded that just half of respondents are somewhat confident the American Dream remains attainable.

Most said opportunity is concentrated among a few people at the top. Almost half of those surveyed said America's best days lie in the past. Political division and economic affordability ranked as the leading challenges Americans expect over the next 50 years, a view shared across party lines.

Most respondents said Americans generally get along and that politics is the main force separating them. On patriotism, most described themselves as at least somewhat patriotic, though the share calling themselves very patriotic sits at historic lows after peaking after the 2001 attacks. Majorities across age, gender, and racial groups said they are at least somewhat proud of U.S.

History, with older Americans and men more likely to express that view. A large majority of Black Americans called themselves patriotic, while just over half said they are somewhat or very proud of the country's 250-year record. Republicans were the most likely to say the United States has succeeded a great deal in meeting its founding ideals and to describe it as the single greatest country.

Most Americans across parties said they would rather live in the United States than anywhere else. Looking ahead, more respondents expected conditions to improve than worsen by 2076, with younger adults more optimistic than older ones. Many foresaw stronger U.S.