The Americans we polled express little to no confidence in the future of our nation or the leaders elected to consider future generations. Even short-term military wins in Tehran or Venezuela do nothing to reverse the general sentiment that today’s America pales in comparison to that of generations past.
A change in direction seems crucial. It also seems possible—either from different leaders or leaders who learn to speak and act differently. In the U.S., pessimism is a bug, not a feature. As I survey a country that has appeared to stop believing in itself, I have learned that, for most people, the mindset can change.
There is historical precedent for a proverbial “vibe shift.” In the early years of the Reagan Administration, for example, hope returned to the nation. Most Americans expressed optimism about the years ahead. President Ronald Reagan’s approval rating hovered around 70% in 1981.
Optimism is not the province of any particular party. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, public trust in government rebounded under both Democratic and Republican presidents. And after 9/11, trust in the American government briefly rose to 60% of all citizens. Both painful and happy moments can bring us closer together—whether it’s a foreign attack or a sustained period of economic growth.