2 in 5 Americans doubt US will survive another 250 years, poll finds

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary on July 4, a significant portion of its citizens express deep pessimism about the nation's future and the stability of its democracy. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that 38% of Americans do not believe the U.S. will endure as a unified country for another 250 years.

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The United States will not exist as a single country in 250 years.

This sentiment is particularly pronounced among Democrats, with 40% sharing this view, compared to 26% of Republicans and 46% of independents. The poll also highlights widespread concern over the health of American democracy, with 64% of respondents believing it is at risk of failure. This figure has risen from 57% in May, indicating a growing sense of urgency and alarm. Notably, 85% of Democrats and 50% of Republicans expressed this concern.

Furthermore, a stark majority of Americans, 77%, anticipate an increase in political violence within the next five years. The poll also shows a decline in national pride, with only 30% of respondents identifying the U.S. as the world's greatest nation, down from 38% in 2017. While a majority of Republicans still hold this view, the percentage among Democrats has fallen sharply to 11%.

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American democracy is at risk of failure.

The survey underscores a bipartisan sense of national crisis. Reuters suggests that the perception of democracy being at risk is amplifying fears across the political spectrum, with the Democratic narrative of a "Trump threat" and the Republican narrative of a "leftist threat" both contributing to this heightened anxiety.

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Political violence is likely to increase within the next five years.