Political Ideals & Systems

The U.S. has more foreign students enrolled in its colleges and universities than any other country in the world. Explore data about foreign students in the U.S. higher education system.

Surveys of foreign policy experts and the general public reveal a division between these two groups over the role of the people’s voice in governing, as well as on the consequences of Trump’s presidency.

Many around the world say representative democracy is a good way to run their country. Compare global views of political systems and read six key findings.

How countries around the world view democracy, military rule and other political systems.

While Americans are less likely than in the past to hold a mix of conservative and liberal view, ideological consistency is increasingly associated with partisanship.

Though Japanese are split on their democracy's performance, most endorse representative democracy and back referenda on major policy issues.

Across the world, a median of 78% say representative democracy is a good way to govern their country. Yet, pro-democracy views coexist with openness to nondemocratic forms of governance.

Americans remain overwhelmingly positive about their nation’s relative standing in the world.

Many Russians say the collapse of the Soviet Union has been a bad thing for their country. Nostalgia for the Soviet past also extends to views of Josef Stalin.

As states around the country debate laws regarding access to the ballot – ranging from automatic voter registration to voter ID requirements – most Americans back making it easy for all citizens to vote. But they overwhelmingly reject the idea of requiring people to vote.