How Americans View the Role of Money in Politics: Key Findings from Pew Research
According to a recent report by Pew Research Center, Americans are dissatisfied with the role of money in politics. The report highlights that large shares of the public see political campaigns as too costly, elected officials as too responsive to donors and special interests, and members of Congress as unable or unwilling to separate their financial interests from their work as public servants. Here are some key findings from the report:
Support for Spending Limits: About 72% of U.S. adults believe there should be limits on the amount of money individuals and organizations can spend on political campaigns.
Broad Bipartisan Support: This desire for spending limits transcends political ideologies, with strong support across all groups.
Belief in Legislative Solutions: Nearly 60% of Americans believe it's possible to create effective laws to reduce the influence of money in politics. However, about 21% believe it's not feasible, and 20% are unsure.
Ideological Differences: Liberal Democrats are more optimistic about the possibility of legislating this change, with 76% expressing faith in such laws. Conservative or moderate Democrats follow at 57%, and 52% of Republicans share this view.
Concerns about Influence: When asked about the biggest problems with elected officials, 11% of Americans point to their susceptibility to money in politics. Additionally, 9% describe elected officials as corrupt, and 16% believe they don't work for the people they represent.
Campaign Costs and Special Interests: An overwhelming 85% of Americans feel that the cost of political campaigns discourages good people from running for office. The public also agrees that "special interest groups and lobbyists have too much say in politics" (84%).
Motivations of Elected Officials: More than 63% of respondents believe that most elected officials ran for office to make money. A majority also think they did so to seek higher office (57%) or personal fame (54%), with fewer believing it was to address issues they care about (22%) or serve the public (15%).
Distrust in Congress: Roughly 80% of Americans express dissatisfaction with members of Congress, believing they do a poor job of separating personal financial interests from their work. They also rate them poorly in terms of listening to constituents, working with the opposing party, and taking responsibility for their actions.
Influence of Campaign Donors and Lobbyists: The report shows that 80% of adults believe campaign donors have too much influence over the decisions made by members of Congress. A significant 73% also feel that lobbyists and special interest groups wield too much influence. Both Republicans and Democrats largely share these concerns.
Lack of Influence for Constituents: 70% of Americans believe that people living in representatives' districts have too little influence over the decisions their representatives make.
These findings reflect a deep concern among Americans about the role of money in politics and the need for reforms to limit its impact.
Click here to read the full report.