Poll: 62% of Americans Say They Have Political Views They’re Afraid to Share

Abstract

A new Cato national survey finds that self‐​censorship is on the rise in the United States. Nearly two-thirds — 62% — of Americans say the political climate these days prevents them from saying things they believe because others might find them offensive. The share of Americans who self‐​censor has risen several points since 2017 when 58% of Americans agreed with this statement. These fears cross partisan lines. Majorities of Democrats (52%), independents (59%) and Republicans (77%) all agree they have political opinions they are afraid to share.

Keywords: survey, political opinions, political belief, free speech, employment, partisanship, far left, center left, center conservative, far conservative

JEL Classification: Y1, Y10, B4, B40, B41