As a deeply divided nation awaits the results of the US election, what do we really agree on?

For example, 71% of Americans, 74% of Democrats, 78% of Republicans, and 66% of Independents say they believe “Americans have more in common than many people think”. according to a national survey of more than 2,000 adults conducted in July for the Carr Center for Harvard Kennedy School Human Rights Policy.

And 81% (77% of Democrats, 91% of Republicans and 78% of Independents) agree that “without our freedoms America is nothing.”

A key finding of the investigation “is that Americans are really fed up with polarization,” John Shattuck, a senior researcher at the Carr Center who served as deputy secretary of state for democracy, told MarketWatch. man and at work. former President Bill Clinton.

“They don’t like being at each other’s throats,” he says. “They really believe they have more in common and they want that belief to overcome polarization.”

Over 90% of Democrats, Republicans and Independents also consider the rights to clean air and water, to quality education and to the protection of personal data as “essential rights important to being an American today.” hui “, according to the survey. Over 80% of these three groups think the same about affordable health care, and an equally large majority say the same about having a job (91%, 77% and 85%).

“The country is very divided politically, we knew going to elections, without a doubt, and I don’t think the poll necessarily negates that perception,” Shattuck said. “On the other hand, I think it’s important that there are values ​​that go beyond political differences, and one of those sets of values ​​involves the rights and responsibilities of citizens.”

The results of the Harvard Kennedy School survey follow Americans’ views on more traditional rights such as the vote, equal protection, freedom of speech, equal opportunity, privacy and racial equality, which 90% o More people across the political spectrum say they see rights as “essential,” according to the same survey. Smaller majorities across partisan lines say the same about religious freedom, the right to bear arms, and LGBTQ rights.

Among those who believe that rights such as the vote, freedom of speech and racial equality are not guaranteed, respondents from all political backgrounds agreed that some of the biggest threats to these rights include “government” , The politicians. “And” other Americans. “

The survey also showed that “the events of the past few months” such as the pandemic and the “economic and racial crises” had caused 85% of respondents to “think differently about the role and responsibility of government in protecting rights” and 83% think differently about “the responsibility of citizens towards their fellow citizens”.

On the COVID-19 front, 53% of respondents (61% of Democrats, 40% of Republicans and 54% of Independents) said they would be prepared to sacrifice some personal freedoms for the benefit of public health, although 54 % overall were unwilling to do so. sacrifice privacy for the same purpose.

Americans don’t like to be divided

The Carr Center poll isn’t alone in suggesting Americans are tired of their divisions. NAIL Public Agenda / USA Today / Ipsos Survey released in december he found that most Republicans, Democrats, Independents and non-politicians agree that there is more common ground among Americans than the media and political leaders describe, and 93% of Republicans, 94% of Democrats and 95% of independents say it is important for the country to try to bridge the gap.

Seven in ten Republicans, eight in ten Democrats and three-quarters of independents say the inability to oppose constructively is due to leaders setting the tone, according to the poll.

Meanwhile, despite divergent views on immigrants and national identity, most Americans – three in four Democrats and about half of Republicans – believe diversity makes America stronger.

And at least three in four of the two major parties consider constituti onally defined freedoms, a fair justice system, and the ability of people living in the United States to “get good jobs and achieve the American dream” “very important.”

Most of the two big parties (83% of Democrats and Democratic supporters and 62% of Republicans and GOP supporters) also say that American companies have too much power, according to one. Pew Research Center survey made in September 2019. And 58% of Americans support an increase in tax rates for households earning more than $ 250,000.

More consensus on abstract ideas

However, there is a not-so-trivial caveat in this middle ground. Americans tend to find more agreement on abstract issues like democracy, “one man, one voice,” free speech and freedom of religion, said Darren Davis, professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame, but “I don’t agree on how to deal with these issues.

While Americans might agree on the importance of civil rights and civil liberties, Davis said as an example, they do not agree on specific issues like affirmative action. They will agree that people should have freedom of speech, he added, “but when it comes to a speaking Muslim, that’s where it crumbles.”

“I had an assignment in my classroom where I challenged the students to identify an issue on which there was consensus,” he says. And I had to stop using this task because it’s too difficult.

The country’s polarization is partly due to the fact that “political leaders tell us to be polarized; who tell us we should disagree, ”Davis said. Shattuck also noted that political leaders and social media platforms disseminate disinformation and disinformation.

Voters want politicians commitment

That said, Jennifer Wolak, professor of political science at the University of Colorado at Boulder, suggests that there is an “overly pessimistic narrative” about polarization.

While there are supporters on both ends, “it’s not the case that we have that kind of U-split of staunch Democrats or Republicans,” he said. In general, voters want politicians to engage, he added.

The country generally agrees on another issue, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center made from late September to early October: that the next commander-in-chief be a president for everyone, not just the people who voted for him.

About 86% of Trump supporters and supporters and 89% of Biden supporters and supporters say that if their candidate is elected (or re-elected), he should focus primarily on addressing the concerns of all Americans, even if that means disappointing. some supporters.