Gallup Survey: Patriotism Gap Between Parties Hits 40 Points
Republicans prioritize patriotism while Democrats favor equality, creating the widest ideological split in a new national values study.
By Tunde Bailey ·
A new Gallup and With Honor survey released Sunday identified patriotism as the value with the widest partisan divide in the United States. The data shows a 40 percentage point gap between the two major political groups regarding what the nation needs most. This disparity exceeds every other ideological difference measured in the poll.
The study surveyed a nationally representative panel of more than 3,000 U.S. adults between May 12 and May 22. Respondents were asked to select from a list of 12 values, including freedom, service, kindness, and humility. The results revealed distinct priorities that align closely with party affiliation.
Among Republicans, 46% ranked patriotism as one of the top three values. That figure stands in sharp contrast to the 6% of Democrats who made the same selection. Republicans also prioritized responsibility at 41% and honesty at 38%. Democrats, conversely, placed equality at the top with 44% support, followed by fairness at 34% and honesty at 32%.
Independents positioned themselves between the two parties. They most frequently selected honesty, responsibility, and integrity, with 34%, 32%, and 31% respectively. Only 15% of independents chose patriotism. The survey also uncovered an age divide that mirrors the political split. Adults aged 65 and older were nearly three times as likely as those aged 18 to 39 to say the nation needs more patriotism, at 32% versus 12%.
Despite the stark differences in top priorities, a majority of Americans believe these values are widely shared. When presented with the 12 options, 32% said they believed most Americans shared patriotism as a value. Only freedom, selected by 38%, received a higher score in that specific category. Overall, 76% of respondents believed people shared at least one of the listed values regardless of politics.
The survey found broad consensus on political tolerance. Nearly eight in 10 Americans, or 79%, said respecting different values matters more than sharing the same ones. This sentiment was strongest among Democrats, with 84% agreeing, followed by independents at 81% and Republicans at 72%. Additionally, 70% of respondents said elected leaders must be willing to compromise across party lines even at personal political cost.
Gallup noted that Democrats are more likely to cite equality, fairness, and kindness, while Republicans favor responsibility and patriotism. The analysis concluded that the ultimate shared value might be the agreement to disagree. The second-largest partisan divide appeared around equality, chosen by 44% of Democrats and just 10% of Republicans.
