News — A new report on young people’s views of democracy and authoritarianism reveals more than one-third of young people report being disengaged from–or even hostile to–a democracy that has not served them well. These surprising findings about Gen Z’s support for America’s system of government are from a recent report, based on research after the 2024 election, which has profound implications for ongoing efforts to engage young voters and to safeguard U.S. democracy.
“How Does Gen Z Really Feel About Democracy?” was produced by Protect Democracy and the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University’s Tisch College of Civic Life.
The full report, which includes an executive summary, .
Based on data from a nationally representative survey of young people conducted after the 2024 election, CIRCLE and Protect Democracy find that there are three profiles of democratic attitudes among youth:
- Passive Appreciation: 63% of youth are generally satisfied with democracy, believe in its core tenets and values, and reject authoritarianism and political violence. But they have relatively low levels of civic engagement, suggesting that their comfort with democracy may be leading to complacency.
- Dismissive Detachment: 31% of youth express a lack of commitment to democratic principles and practices and a higher likelihood to embrace authoritarian measures. These young people, who are more likely to be non-college educated and struggling financially, are largely disengaged from a democracy that has not served them well.
- Hostile Dissatisfaction: 7% of youth are highly active in civic and political life, but extremely dissatisfied with democracy as they’re experiencing it today. They believe in democracy in theory but see it failing them in practice, and they are willing to consider more radical means, like violent protest, to effect change.
“At a critical time in American democracy, it’s more important than ever to understand how different young people are experiencing our government and to ask what they need to trust and engage with it,” said Sara Suzuki, a CIRCLE senior researcher who led the analysis. “Because Gen Z is the most diverse generation in American history, their views and attitudes about democracy are just as varied. This report digs into those nuances.”
Several cross-cutting findings from the report can help inform the efforts of individuals, communities, and institutions ranging from political parties to local nonprofits that seek to strengthen youth democratic engagement.
The report finds that there are few links between race, gender, or rurality and democratic attitudes; challenging some common narratives about certain demographics being more or less likely to support democracy. The research also shows that these profiles do not line up neatly with participation or presidential vote choice in 2024: Trump, Harris, and third-party voters were relatively evenly distributed among all three groups.
Finally, the report underscores the importance of support for young people’s civic development and participation as a key driver of more positive attitudes toward democracy. And it highlights a major gap between belief in democracy in theory, and disappointment with it in practice. This is at the core of some young people’s dissatisfaction and disengagement.
“This research is crucial, especially as faith in democracy continues to decline, particularly among young people,” said Deborah Apau, a research specialist at Protect Democracy. “Our analysis reveals the underlying factors driving the varying levels of disillusionment within this demographic, and in doing so, provides valuable insights for pro-democracy and youth-focused organizations by offering a guide for further research and actionable strategies to engage young people in ways that strengthen our democracy.”
Protect Democracy is a national leader in advocacy for building more resilient democratic institutions, protecting liberal democracy, and strengthening our system of government for future generations. CIRCLE is one of the country’s top nonpartisan research centers on young people’s civic learning and engagement.
In the coming weeks and months, both organizations will widely disseminate this report with partners across various fields.
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