How to Address America’s Crisis of Confidence
Americans are more pessimistic than ever. But there is reason to be optimistic about their power to change it, write Anandita Sabherwal and Gregg Sparkman.
The United States is currently facing a deep sense of national pessimism, with many Americans feeling that significant changes are needed but doubting their feasibility. The country's decisions, ranging from health coverage to climate commitments, appear to be dictated by forces beyond public control. Despite broad public support for clean energy, federal incentives are being dismantled, and healthcare programs are being stripped of coverage.
Even a significant majority believes that major industries, including AI, should be regulated, yet Washington has actively prevented states from implementing such regulations.
This overwhelming opposition from major companies and the government can feel intimidating, leading individuals to question whether they can make a difference. Research suggests, however, that despite this institutional headwind, public opinion can still drive meaningful change. When scientists and ordinary citizens publicly endorse a solution, their combined support becomes a powerful motivator for action.
This dual backing significantly increases people's willingness to support climate, health, and technology policies, as well as their inclination to engage in initiatives like adopting electric vehicles or donating to causes.
Even when faced with opposition from government bodies and private companies, the joint endorsement by scientists and the public can still galvanize action. In fact, solutions supported by both groups were chosen about 80% of the time, regardless of opposition from other sectors. Importantly, this effect persists even when government and industry are actively opposed to the action.
The key takeaway is that while institutional retreat might make progress seem unrealistic, a bottom-up signal from the public can counteract the demotivating impact of this retreat. By speaking up and making their support visible, citizens can help create a social consensus that reinforces the notion that collective action is not only possible but necessary.
Written by urgent.news from Time's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
