By This explains a lot: A new national survey suggests that a large share of Democratic voters do not believe the United States is a positive force in the world, revealing one of the starkest partisan divides in public opinion about the country’s global role as it approaches its 250th anniversary.
The poll, conducted by the firm Cygnal from March 3–4, 2026, surveyed 1,500 likely voters nationwide. Overall, 56 percent of respondents said the United States remains a force for good in the world, while 39 percent said it does not.
The most striking results came from the partisan breakdown. Republicans overwhelmingly view the United States positively, registering a net +84 believing the country is a force for good. Independents were evenly divided, producing a net score of zero.
After 250 years as a nation, do you believe the United States continues to be a force for good in the world?
Force for good: 56%
Not a force for good: 39%
——
Net force for good
🟤 Dem: (-43)
🟢 GOP: (+84)
⚪ Indie: (even)
🟢 White: (+26)
🟤 Black: (-24)
🟢 Hispanic: (+9)
🟤… pic.twitter.com/aG4NVDRJe8— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) March 9, 2026
Democrats, however, stood apart from both groups. Among Democratic voters, the survey found a net −43 view of the United States as a force for good—meaning far more Democrats believe the country is not a positive influence globally than believe it is.
The numbers suggest a significant level of skepticism within the Democratic electorate about the United States’ international role and legacy after nearly two and a half centuries as a nation.
Demographic differences within the poll also reveal pockets of particularly negative views. Black voters recorded a net −24 assessment of the United States as a force for good. Women under 55 also leaned negative, with a net −11 view. By contrast, several other groups remained strongly positive, including men over 55, who posted a net +44 rating.
White voters overall expressed a net +26 positive view of the United States’ role globally, while Hispanic voters showed a smaller but still positive margin at +9.
The public in general can see the party’s disdain for America. Despite President Donald Trump’s declining approval ratings and Democratic hopes of regaining the House in 2026, multiple analysts and polls suggest the Democratic Party itself remains deeply unpopular and politically vulnerable. Surveys throughout 2025 found Democrats suffering from historically low favorability ratings, with many voters — including Democrats — describing the party as weak, ineffective, and out of touch.
Polling shows widespread frustration within the party’s own base. A Pew survey found 67 percent of Democrats feel frustrated with their party, while an Associated Press poll reported many Democratic voters view party leaders as “spineless” and unwilling to confront Republicans effectively.
Research also indicates the party has lost credibility with key voter groups. Studies of working-class voters found six in ten hold a negative view of Democrats, frequently describing them as “woke, weak, and out of touch.” Many voters say they cannot identify what the party stands for beyond opposition to Trump.
Some liberal analysts argue that the party’s shift toward identity politics and cultural issues has alienated large segments of the electorate. Internal Democratic research suggests the party’s messaging has moved away from traditional concerns such as the middle class, responsibility, and crime, while emphasizing terms related to race, gender identity, and equity.
Even among centrist Democrats and sympathetic commentators, there is growing concern that the party’s problems are structural rather than temporary. Analysts warn that Trump’s unpopularity may give Democrats short-term political opportunities, but it does not solve the party’s underlying image problem or restore voter trust.
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