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Last update: 3:48 p.m. EST Dec. 18, 2008
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Dec 18, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Foreign observers of the United States, from De Tocqueville to the present day, have often noted two very American qualities - their optimism and their patriotism. In 1975, as America looked forward to celebrating its bicentennial in 1976, a Harris Poll asked a nationwide sample of adults about "things that have made America great" and which of those things will be helpful in making the country great in the future. In repeating the same questions 33 years later, this new Harris Poll FlashBack finds that, compared to 1975, today's Americans have a more realistic view both of what has made, and what will continue to make it great in the future.
This comparison of public opinions between now and 1975 is the third in the Harris Interactive "Flashback" series that compares and contrasts today's U.S. public opinion on significant policy issues with opinions from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
What Has Made this Country Great?
Majorities of 60 percent or more of all adults think that all of the following have made a "major contribution" to making this country great, but the numbers are all lower, and in some cases much lower, than they were in 1975:
-- Living under a system of guaranteed individual freedom (80% 2008, 85% in 1975).
-- Hardworking people (79% 2008, 87% in 1975)
-- Allowing people to own private property (77% 2008, 87% in 1975)
-- Giving people the chance to go freely from one place to another (76% 2008, 83% in 1975)
-- Industrial know-how and scientific progress (72% 2008, down 18 points from 90% in 1975)
-- Military strength (68% 2008, down from, 80%)
-- Giving every race and creed a chance to get ahead (66% 2008, 74% in 1975)
-- Rich natural resources (63% 2008, down fully 28 from 91% in 1975)
-- Free, unlimited education to all qualified (62% 2008, down from 75%)
-- Having a system of free and uncontrolled views, media and communication (62%, down from 76%).
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