Americans are often perceived as deeply divided along partisan lines, but political research and public surveys indicate that the reality is far less extreme than commonly believed. Conversations between friends and data from research organizations reveal a large, moderate middle group with shared values that often cross party boundaries.
Assumptions and the Perception Gap
In Houston, friends Shanna Berry and Alma Ong deliberately avoided discussing politics to protect their relationship. Berry, a Christian, retired hairdresser, Air Force veteran, and supporter of President Trump, eventually shared her thoughts on the U.S. capture of Venezuela’s former president Nicolas Maduro, stating that ending the regime was necessary while noting concerns over legalities and potential oil interests. Ong, a liberal Buddhist from London who dislikes the president, was astonished to discover she agreed with every word.
According to Kristin Laurin, a psychology professor at the University of British Columbia, this interaction exemplifies broader findings in political research. Avoiding political discussions due to fear of conflict often leads individuals to overestimate their differences. Laurin noted that politicians and political elites intentionally portray opponents as extreme to mobilize voters, while social media algorithms amplify political rage bait to increase engagement, creating a perception gap where perceived polarization greatly exceeds the actual divide.
Shared Values and the Political Middle
Researchers have found that despite genuine political disagreements, many Americans hold similar foundational values. For instance, when former FBI director James Comey was indicted for posting a photo of seashells on a beach that the Department of Justice classified as a death threat against the president, the reaction united critics across the political spectrum. Conservatives and Democrats alike expressed dismay over the legal action, viewing it as an infringement on free speech.
Stan Fletcher, a Maryland restaurateur who voted for Donald Trump three times, expressed a sentiment shared by many about the true makeup of the country. Fletcher stated that 95 percent of Americans fall into a bell curve of moderates, while the loudest voices come from extremists on both ends of the political spectrum.
Data from the non-partisan Pew Research Center supports this observation, showing that the U.S. political landscape is diverse and resists simple two-party categorization. Pew classifies Americans into nine distinct groups based on their values and attitudes, identifying significant variation and overlap within both major parties. Jocelyn Kiley, who leads politics research at Pew, explained that the messy political middle actually outweighs the ideologically rigid groups on the far left and far right. Pew estimates that this moderate middle comprises about 60 percent of the electorate, whereas the most ideological right-wing groups account for just 21 percent of the population.
