Americans Split Pretty Evenly on Proper Role of Government

The latest poll from Gallup Politics looks
at
how Americans view the proper role of govenment. Though it
might come as a surprise to anyone watching U.S. politics, about an
equal number claim to prefer a government that provides “only the
most basic” functions as favor a government that “takes active
steps in every area it can to try and improve the lives of its
citizens.” 

For the poll, conducted earlier this month, respondents were
asked to rate themselves on a 5-point scale with “1” corresponding
to the limited-government perspective and “5” signalling support
for an activist government. About 35 percent rated themselves as
“1” or “2”, meaning they would prefer government play a minimal
role in the lives of citizens. Slightly less (32 percent) chose “4”
or “5”, indicating a preference to turn over control of their lives
to the state. The remaining third of respondents favored a middle
ground. This is the fourth time Gallup has asked this particular
polling question (starting in 2010) and all four polls have
featured a relatively even split. 

Unsurprisingly, Democrats were more likely to favor ample
government than Republicans—though there was plenty of partisan
crossover. About 17 percent of Republican respondents slotted
themselves in the pro-big government camp, and 10 percent of
Democrats said they support a more limited government. Meanwhile
about a quarter of Republicans and 38 percent of Democrats rated
themselves in the middle of the government-scope scale. 

Gallup also asked respondents whether they thought government
was currently doing too much or not enough. More than half
(54 percent) said it’s “trying to do too many things that should be
left to individuals and businesses” while 41 percent said the
government needs to “do more to solve our country’s problems.”

Of limited-government fans from question one, 86 percent think
the government is currently too hands-on, with those neutral on
question one also tending to lean this way. However, when it comes
to big-government supporters, a terrifying 74 percent thinks
government isn’t active enough in our lives right now and should be
doing more.