Amol Utrankar (Rice) on American Values

Consider the divergence of public opinion on the role of government. A 2011 Gallup poll indicates that Americans are nearly evenly split on whether government should actively promote traditional values (48% in favor, 46% opposed). Similarly, a Pew survey shows that 69% of respondents find that liberals excessively promote secularism in schools and government, but 49% of respondents also feel that conservatives have gone too far in imposing religious values. Party lines also strongly influence values on the socioeconomic role of government: nearly 78% of Democrats believe society would be better off with more equitable wealth distribution, a sentiment only 35% of Republicans share.

These numbers signal broad divisions on values and guiding philosophies. Generally speaking, we fail to agree on what we want our institutions to do, and where—in terms of social structure, economic equality, and spiritual value—we want our society to be. In effect, we are troubled by a net irresolution on what our government should do, which means that any firm initiative for change is watered down to a half-hearted compromise.

The debate over social spending issues captures this ideological rift. 77% of Americans believe government should serve as a “protector” of human rights, and most surveys show consensus on support for rights against discrimination or torture. Only about half of Americans, though, support protections of economic rights like freedom from extreme poverty or basic housing. Even more pressing is the observation that Americans are evenly divided on whether poverty is caused by systemic inequalities or individual lack of effort. Such disagreements influence perspectives on policy initiatives like universal healthcare or social welfare programs.

As such issues illustrate, the lack of consensus on what American values are and what American society should aspire towards are barriers to political action. As long as we struggle to define where spirituality, social equality, and political philosophy weigh into our value system and social goals, we are confined by the constraints of ideological discord.