Democracy is a flawed and fragile form of government, famously described by Winston Churchill as “the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried.” Churchill’s comment spoke to a world where fascism and democracy were at war. In America today, concerns regarding the erosion of democracy at home and abroad — and about the resurgence of fascism — are on the rise again. In this 23-minute episode of America Speaks, Dr. Frank Luntz asks a panel of younger...

Capitalism and socialism offer two different economic models, each with their own unique pros and cons. And while it is rare to find any modern economy that is either entirely capitalist or entirely socialist, citizens frequently use these terms to represent the general direction in which they believe the economy and society should progress. Similarly, while it is rare to find any example of a purely meritocratic or a purely equal society, the public debate on meritocracy versus equality...

Younger Americans came of age amidst significant change, turmoil and partisanship. Many observers have wondered how this might impact their civic engagement and political opinions as adults. Approximately 41 million Gen Z Americans will be eligible to vote in the 2024 elections. In this unique 31-minute episode of America Speaks, pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz interviews a class of high schoolers at a private school in Indiana. He asks for their opinions on everything from...

In March, U.S. public approval of Congress stood at only 15%. Americans have a wide range of concerns across the political spectrum, but what they have in common is a frustration with what they perceive as widespread dysfunction inside of the nation’s legislature.

As of March 28, 2024, the official figure for the United States’ national debt comes up just shy of $34.6 trillion. While this debt empowers the government to fund important programs and agencies, critics warn that it becomes more and more of a liability the longer it goes unaddressed and unresolved. In this unique 36-minute episode of America Speaks, pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz invites David Walker, former comptroller general of the United States, to join American...

While most voters already have an idea of how they’ll be voting — or not voting — in November’s presidential election, a small minority of Americans remain undecided. How they ultimately choose to cast their ballots might influence the results of tight races in key swing states. In this 30-minute episode of America Speaks, pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz asks a focus group of undecided voters what their reservations are regarding Democratic and Republican candidates and the...

U.S. political campaigns have become notoriously toxic, a trend broadly reflective of the overall toxicity of modern American politics itself. Political campaign ads and political messaging have become perhaps the most consistent public measure of that toxicity. So when it comes to the upcoming election, what do Americans expect to see in their political advertisements and campaign messaging? In this 30-minute episode of America Speaks, pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz asks a...

We find ourselves in an era of high friction between Democrats and Republicans on numerous issues. As primary season turns into election season, heated arguments and disagreements might escalate. Most of us accept that we won’t agree on everything, but how can Americans learn to disagree better? In this 39-minute episode of America Speaks, pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz engages with a diverse group of Americans who all aspire to “disagree better.” But what does that mean, and...

From the numerous wars raging abroad to our civil divisions here at home, it can sometimes feel like America and the world are on fire. In addressing these crises, it is essential to prioritize and identify the ones that concern Americans the most. In this 28-minute episode of America Speaks, pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz asks Americans to share their deepest concerns for their country and the world. From a lack of empathy and civility to the financial difficulties of modern...

The United States does a lot of things well and it’s rated fifth in the best countries overall. Yet for those who hear mostly negative news, it’s easy to believe that things could not get any worse. As we yearn for an idealized yesteryear, we might take the blessings of today for granted, and forget the many things Americans agree on. In this 26-minute episode of America Speaks, pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz examines the positive values of American identity. Luntz asks a...

The Republican and Democratic Parties have had a two-party lock on American politics since the U.S. Civil War, with comparatively few successful third-party campaigns at the federal level over the past 150 years. While some Americans appreciate the two-party system, others argue for a more open multi-party democracy and want to make it easier for independent and third-party candidates to run. Some Americans, out of protest or for other reasons, choose not to participate in the current...

Recent polls give former President Donald Trump a lead over President Joe Biden in a 2024 general election matchup. With rising wages and GDP, record-low unemployment, and an opponent facing 91 felony criminal charges, it might be difficult for observers to make sense of Biden’s declining popularity against Trump in an anticipated 2024 rematch. In this 34-minute episode of America Speaks, political analyst and pollster Dr. Frank Luntz interviews a group of individuals who voted for Biden in...

America is home to some of the best universities in the world, and U.S. college graduates regularly compete for elite positions worldwide. Yet the K-12 American public education system lags far behind this performance, contributing to divisions within American society and jeopardizing the academic potential of America’s younger generations. In this 30-minute episode of America Speaks, political analyst and pollster Dr. Frank Luntz asks American parents for their observations on K-12 public...

Immigration continues to be a topic of debate among everyday American citizens and within the halls of Congress. As migrants and refugees pour into the United States over the U.S.-Mexico border, U.S. immigration courts struggle to process their cases. U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently hinted that mass amnesty might be required to help resolve the immigration dilemma—something which has not been done in roughly four decades. In this 34-minute episode...

America’s firefighters battle hazardous conditions and long work days to keep Americans safe every day. Yet in crisis after crisis, through raging wildfires and terrorist attacks, these heroes continue to show up, fully committed to some of the most dangerous work in the country. In this 37-minute episode of America Speaks, firefighters discuss their most memorable experiences, what they wish civilians and politicians knew about their work, and many stories of tragedy and triumph that they’re...

Since Oct. 7, the Israel-Hamas war has claimed at least 16,000 lives, displaced over 1,500,000 Palestinians, and has polarized and divided citizens in the United States and around the globe. The level of violence in Gaza has few global precedents since the end of World War II. Yet even as conflict mediators from the U.S., Egypt and Qatar work together to try to extend the temporary ceasefire, both Hamas and Israeli officials insist that the war must go on. In this 54-minute episode of America...

Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z represents the youngest cohort of eligible voters. Shaped by the digital age, climate concerns, economic shifts, and the impact of COVID-19, the generation’s identity has now been further influenced by the specter of global conflicts. With 41 million Gen Z members eligible to cast votes–and many participating in a presidential election for the first time–the question arises: How do they envision the future of their democracy?In this 36-minute episode...

A growing majority of Americans identify China as the single greatest foreign threat to the United States. This shift has coincided with recurrent Chinese threats against U.S. allies like Taiwan and the Philippines but also with the reality of an increasingly war-weary world, with major conflicts now raging concurrently in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, and elsewhere. In this 28-minute episode of America Speaks, political analyst and pollster Dr. Frank Luntz presses Americans for their...

As the U.S. economy continues to surpass predictions on everything from “blowout” GDP growth to record-low unemployment, liberals celebrate “Bidenomics” as a proven recipe for nationwide economic growth and success. Yet the costs of housing, living, and interest rates are also on the rise, prompting criticism and pessimism from both conservatives and the general public. So when it comes to the economy, are things getting better or worse? In this 26-minute episode of America Speaks, Dr. Frank...

Public debates on the campaign trail have long been a central component of American political culture. While the questions asked and the issues addressed have changed over time, the importance of the public debate itself has not. In this 30-minute episode of America Speaks, political analyst and pollster Dr. Frank Luntz reviews some of the most memorable moments in recent American political campaign debates, from the funniest to the cringiest. Some of these clips will remind viewers of...

Politicians worldwide and throughout history have invested immeasurable time and resources into perfecting their narrative pitch to a public audience. Today, new technologies enable us to track which speeches perform better to which audiences, and we can track that data down to each second and every word. In this 20-minute episode of America Speaks, political analyst and pollster Dr. Frank Luntz uses Instant Response technology to review ten of the most popular political speeches in recent...

Increasing polarization has consistently ranked as a top political concern for Americans in recent years. Americans are divided by culture, religion, policy, ethics, information sources, and at times, even by core values. In this unique, 24-minute episode of America Speaks, political analyst and pollster Dr. Frank Luntz dives fearlessly into these myriad divisions with ordinary Americans from across the country. The resulting shouting match is sometimes difficult to listen to but ultimately...

A well-informed public, sustained by a free and independent press, has long been considered one of the most vital pillars of a healthy democracy in the modern world. And yet today, in the United States, this pillar is in danger of collapsing, as fewer and fewer Americans express positive trust in “the media” as a whole. In this 30-minute episode of America Speaks, political analyst and pollster Dr. Frank Luntz asks Americans how they think news media companies performed in recent coverage of...

Congress is once again approaching a possible federal government shutdown. Like several before, this shutdown originates from unresolved disagreements between Democrats and Republicans on federal spending and budget priorities. Pundits have speculated about the political future of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) in the wake of this uncertainty. In this 29-minute episode of America Speaks, political analyst and pollster Dr. Frank Luntz asks Americans for their opinions on a possible...

African youth represent a seismic demographic shift not only for their continent, but for the entire world. Some of the world’s largest economies are expected to emerge in Africa before the end of this century, and today’s young generation will be the driving force of that change. In this 48-minute episode of America Speaks, political analyst and pollster Dr. Frank Luntz asks a room full of young students at the African Leadership University a number of deep questions, including what Africa...