On many items, the views of independents that lean toward one of the two major parties diverge from those of self-identifying Republicans and Democrats. Partisans and ‘leaners’ differ over importance of aspects of citizenship 25%).īy contrast, Democrats are more likely than Republicans to think it is very important to protest if government actions are believed to be wrong: About half of Democrats (52%) this is very important to what it means to be a good citizen, compared with just about a third (35%) of Republicans. In addition to placing greater importance on the Pledge of Allegiance, Republicans are twice as likely as Democrats to say it is very important to display the American flag (50% vs. Knowing the Pledge of Allegiance ranks higher on Republicans’ list (71% say it’s very important) than Democrats’ (just 34% say it’s very important). However, Republicans (79%) are more likely than Democrats (61%) to say it’s very important to always follow the law to be a good citizen.
There also are no partisan divides over the importance of volunteering to help others and following what’s going on in government and politics. Similarly, comparable majorities of Republicans and Democrats say it’s very important to pay all the taxes you owe, serve jury duty if called, respect the opinions of those you disagree with and participate in the census. Republicans and Democrats largely agree on the importance of most responsibilities of citizenship.Ībout three-quarters of Republicans and Republican leaners (76%) and Democrats and Democratic leaners (75%) say it’s very important to vote in elections. Still, a majority says this is either a very (36%) or somewhat (26%) important part of what it means to be a good citizen. Displaying the American flag ranks last among the 11 items tested in the survey. Protesting government actions you think are wrong and knowing the Pledge of Allegiance are considered important parts of what it means to be a good citizen, though they rank somewhat lower on the public’s list.
While a comparable 90% say it’s important to follow what’s happening in government and politics as part of good citizenship, a smaller share (49%) says this very important. For example, 89% say it’s important to serve jury duty if called, including 61% who say this is very important. However, the share saying each is very important varies significantly. Large shares also say it is important to pay all the taxes you owe (92%) and to always follow the law (96%), including about seven-in-ten who say each is very important (71% and 69%, respectively).įor several other traits and behaviors, about nine-in-ten say they are at least somewhat important to good citizenship. Overall, 91% say it is either very (74%) or somewhat (17%) important to vote in elections in order to be a good citizen just 8% say this is not too or not at all important. Still, there are differences when it comes to which aspects are considered very important (as opposed to somewhat important), and points of emphasis differ by party identification as well as by age. And there’s a fair amount of agreement across groups about what it takes to be a good citizen. When it comes to what it takes to be a good citizen, the public has a long list of traits and behaviors that it says are important.
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