Progress, nostalgia, and cultural change: Findings from the 2016 American Values Survey

In the final weeks before the 2016 presidential election, questions remain about who will turn out to vote and what will drive them to the polls. Now, a new and extensive national survey of more than 2,000 Americans reveals a great deal about the public’s views on the presidential candidates’ qualifications, their confidence in the electoral system, and their attitudes toward hot-button issues such as free trade agreements, immigration, and terrorism.

On October 25, Governance Studies at Brookings and PRRI hosted the release of PRRI’s seventh annual American Values Survey (AVS). A panel of experts discussed the survey results and what they reveal about Americans’ attitudes toward the issues that are sure to shape the outcome of this presidential election. Specific topics discussed included Americans’ views on: protectionist policies including a potential U.S.-Mexico wall and temporary ban on Muslim immigrants; whether society has become too “politically correct”; voter fraud; economic inequality; criminal justice reform; and jobs and unemployment.