Watergate has taken its toll of the national innocence, but just how severely has been difficult to document. Now, in a study of public opinion released this week by the Senate Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations, it is reported that 55% of the 1.596 Americans questioned feel “alienated and disenchanted”; only 29% felt such a malaise in 1966. Heading the list of institutions that have fallen into disfavor is the Executive Branch of the Federal Government. Its credibility was rated 41% in 1966; today that figure has plummeted to 19%. As late as May 1972, only 5% of the populace were concerned about integrity in government; today 43% are.
In order to reverse such trends, a minimal level of national confidence needs to be restored to a cynically on-looking public, who just now may be feeling intolerably “wised up” — but no wiser. Did the group polled see any hope? Surprisingly enough, the answer is yes. Fully 86% of the sample felt that the Federal Government could be well run, despite whatever momentary disillusion they may have expressed. In other words, an inspiring leader could still depend on a bedrock of confidence among Americans.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- L.A. Fires Show Reality of 1.5°C of Warming
- Behind the Scenes of The White Lotus Season Three
- How Trump 2.0 Is Already Sowing Confusion
- Elizabeth Warren’s Plan for How Musk Can Cut $2 Trillion
- Why, Exactly, Is Alcohol So Bad for You?
- How Emilia Pérez Became a Divisive Oscar Frontrunner
- The Motivational Trick That Makes You Exercise Harder
- Zelensky’s Former Spokesperson: Ukraine Needs a Cease-Fire Now
Contact us at letters@time.com