Americans' Trust in the Three Branches of the Federal Government
Critical Analysis
According to the data from the visual above, in 1972, about what percent of Americans had a great deal/a fair amount of confidence in the Executive branch of the federal government?
According to the data from the visual above, in 2022 (fifty years later), about what percent of Americans had a great deal/a fair amount of confidence in the Legislative branch of the federal government?
Since 1972, describe what has happened to Americans’ overall trust and confidence in all three branches of government.
What do you think is the best explanation of that trend?
What is one consequence of that trend?
According to the data from the visual above, how do the three branches of the federal government compare in Americans’ trust in them?
How do you think party affiliation impacts trust in the government?*
The branch (judiciary) that is the least democratic (unelected) is the most popular. The branch (legislative) that is the most democratic (most often elected) is the least popular. Explain that one!
Madison wrote in Federalist 51, “ambition must be made to counteract ambition.” What do you think that quote means?
How does Madison’s quote above connect to the data in the chart?
Visual Extension
Learning Extension
Read the Gallup report on American attitudes toward government.
Action Extension
Article V of the U.S. Constitution provides two methods of adopting amendments. First, Congress may, by a two-thirds majority in both houses, propose amendments to the states. Second, if two-thirds of the states ask Congress to call a constitutional convention, Congress must do so. Every amendment to date has been proposed and ratified through the first method. These groups are seeking to persuade state legislatures to take the country into the uncharted territory of an Article V convention. Think about a way you would like the U.S. Constitution to change-repeal the 22nd Amendment, legalize drones in high school classrooms, allow for elections for the federal judiciary, etc. Contact your U.S. Representative and ask them to adopt your amendment.
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