The Division of the American People Through Politics

Abstract

This research analyzed data collected by General Social Survey in 2004 and 2014 on Americans’ feelings toward the federal government, assessing any significant statistical differences between those feelings and party affiliation. Questions included if they felt that they could trust the government, if they felt the government needed to do more or do less, if they felt politicians were in politics to serve themselves and if they felt that they had any say in what the government does. With this data we hope to outline how divided we are politically and be able to use this data as a platform for assessing ways we can reduce the divide between the American people.