Survey year | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 46% | 47% | 3% | 3% | 3,881 |
2007 | 42% | 48% | 5% | 5% | 3,367 |
Learn More: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services
Views about size of government among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religious group
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have…
Religious tradition | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 50% | 44% | 3% | 3% | 738 |
Evangelical Protestant | 55% | 40% | 2% | 2% | 408 |
Historically Black Protestant | 30% | 67% | 1% | 2% | 111 |
Jewish | 39% | 54% | 6% | 1% | 144 |
Mainline Protestant | 52% | 42% | 3% | 2% | 647 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 42% | 51% | 4% | 4% | 1,396 |
Learn More: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are ages…
Views about size of government | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 31% | 34% | 22% | 12% | 1,776 |
Bigger government; more services | 35% | 34% | 21% | 11% | 1,780 |
Depends | 19% | 36% | 26% | 19% | 142 |
Don't know | 36% | 23% | 22% | 18% | 124 |
Generational cohort among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about size of government | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 22% | 16% | 27% | 26% | 8% | 1% | 1,776 |
Bigger government; more services | 23% | 20% | 26% | 24% | 6% | < 1% | 1,780 |
Depends | 9% | 19% | 27% | 32% | 12% | 1% | 142 |
Don't know | 18% | 27% | 14% | 26% | 13% | 1% | 124 |
Gender composition among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about size of government | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 62% | 38% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 46% | 54% | 1,799 |
Depends | 60% | 40% | 145 |
Don't know | 52% | 48% | 130 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Views about size of government | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 74% | 5% | 5% | 12% | 4% | 1,778 |
Bigger government; more services | 59% | 12% | 7% | 19% | 3% | 1,789 |
Depends | 78% | 6% | 2% | 8% | 6% | 142 |
Don't know | 75% | 3% | 4% | 13% | 6% | 124 |
Immigrant status among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about size of government | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 11% | 13% | 76% | 1,789 |
Bigger government; more services | 20% | 15% | 65% | 1,776 |
Depends | 13% | 10% | 77% | 144 |
Don't know | 15% | 11% | 74% | 128 |
Income distribution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have a household income of…
Views about size of government | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 25% | 18% | 29% | 28% | 1,617 |
Bigger government; more services | 36% | 18% | 25% | 21% | 1,638 |
Depends | 29% | 24% | 23% | 25% | 121 |
Don't know | 39% | 13% | 25% | 23% | 109 |
Educational distribution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have completed…
Views about size of government | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 29% | 34% | 21% | 16% | 1,800 |
Bigger government; more services | 29% | 30% | 23% | 18% | 1,793 |
Depends | 28% | 30% | 22% | 20% | 144 |
Don't know | 23% | 37% | 31% | 8% | 129 |
Marital status among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about size of government | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 43% | 8% | 12% | 4% | 33% | 1,801 |
Bigger government; more services | 38% | 11% | 13% | 3% | 34% | 1,793 |
Depends | 41% | 14% | 12% | 6% | 28% | 142 |
Don't know | 31% | 13% | 10% | 9% | 38% | 130 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about size of government | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 24% | 76% | 1,802 |
Bigger government; more services | 28% | 72% | 1,796 |
Depends | 21% | 79% | 145 |
Don't know | 9% | 91% | 130 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say they…
Views about size of government | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 45% | 26% | 10% | 1% | 14% | 4% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 39% | 27% | 11% | 1% | 20% | 3% | 1,799 |
Depends | 50% | 14% | 8% | 3% | 15% | 10% | 145 |
Don't know | 35% | 21% | 10% | 1% | 19% | 15% | 130 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say religion is…
Views about size of government | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 30% | 34% | 19% | 17% | < 1% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 31% | 30% | 18% | 20% | 1% | 1,799 |
Depends | 34% | 26% | 17% | 21% | 3% | 145 |
Don't know | 27% | 28% | 19% | 24% | 1% | 130 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend religious services…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 20% | 38% | 42% | 1% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 18% | 39% | 43% | < 1% | 1,799 |
Depends | 20% | 31% | 49% | < 1% | 145 |
Don't know | 11% | 34% | 53% | 2% | 130 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who pray…
Views about size of government | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 37% | 19% | 8% | 35% | < 1% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 36% | 19% | 8% | 38% | < 1% | 1,799 |
Depends | 41% | 15% | 5% | 34% | 5% | 145 |
Don't know | 34% | 14% | 9% | 38% | 5% | 130 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend prayer group…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 11% | 8% | 8% | 73% | < 1% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 13% | 8% | 8% | 71% | 1% | 1,799 |
Depends | 6% | 7% | 14% | 72% | < 1% | 145 |
Don't know | 12% | 6% | 6% | 72% | 4% | 130 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who meditate…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 38% | 12% | 6% | 43% | 1% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 41% | 11% | 5% | 43% | < 1% | 1,799 |
Depends | 56% | 8% | 5% | 28% | 3% | 145 |
Don't know | 32% | 17% | 3% | 43% | 6% | 130 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 49% | 19% | 11% | 20% | 1% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 51% | 19% | 11% | 18% | 1% | 1,799 |
Depends | 60% | 10% | 10% | 15% | 6% | 145 |
Don't know | 55% | 14% | 9% | 20% | 3% | 130 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 54% | 17% | 13% | 16% | 1% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 57% | 17% | 11% | 15% | 1% | 1,799 |
Depends | 65% | 11% | 9% | 12% | 3% | 145 |
Don't know | 54% | 13% | 14% | 19% | < 1% | 130 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…
Views about size of government | There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | Right or wrong depends on the situation | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 28% | 69% | 2% | 1% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 19% | 79% | 1% | 1% | 1,799 |
Depends | 15% | 73% | 9% | 3% | 145 |
Don't know | 17% | 76% | 6% | 1% | 130 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who read scripture…
Views about size of government | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 20% | 11% | 11% | 57% | 1% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 19% | 12% | 9% | 60% | < 1% | 1,799 |
Depends | 23% | 13% | 3% | 59% | 1% | 145 |
Don't know | 22% | 7% | 9% | 59% | 3% | 130 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say the holy scripture is…
Views about size of government | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 10% | 27% | 1% | 54% | 8% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 15% | 19% | < 1% | 60% | 5% | 1,799 |
Depends | 5% | 13% | 4% | 57% | 22% | 145 |
Don't know | 11% | 10% | 4% | 61% | 14% | 130 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in heaven
Views about size of government | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 57% | 34% | 9% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 52% | 40% | 8% | 1,799 |
Depends | 41% | 43% | 16% | 145 |
Don't know | 34% | 37% | 29% | 130 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in hell
Views about size of government | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 41% | 51% | 8% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 35% | 58% | 7% | 1,799 |
Depends | 33% | 54% | 13% | 145 |
Don't know | 27% | 54% | 19% | 130 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Views about size of government | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 45% | 19% | 36% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 12% | 13% | 75% | 1,799 |
Depends | 13% | 25% | 62% | 145 |
Don't know | 7% | 27% | 66% | 130 |
Political ideology among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about size of government | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 31% | 44% | 21% | 4% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 12% | 29% | 56% | 3% | 1,799 |
Depends | 8% | 46% | 37% | 9% | 145 |
Don't know | 10% | 43% | 42% | 5% | 130 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say government aid to the poor…
Views about size of government | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 53% | 43% | 3% | 1% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 16% | 81% | 2% | 1% | 1,799 |
Depends | 13% | 59% | 25% | 3% | 145 |
Don't know | 14% | 70% | 7% | 9% | 130 |
Views about abortion among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say abortion should be…
Views about size of government | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 64% | 33% | 3% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 75% | 23% | 2% | 1,799 |
Depends | 75% | 16% | 9% | 145 |
Don't know | 73% | 21% | 6% | 130 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say homosexuality…
Views about size of government | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 78% | 16% | 4% | 2% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 87% | 10% | 2% | 1% | 1,799 |
Depends | 80% | 12% | 7% | 1% | 145 |
Don't know | 81% | 12% | 4% | 4% | 130 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …same-sex marriage
Views about size of government | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 70% | 24% | 6% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 84% | 13% | 3% | 1,799 |
Depends | 81% | 10% | 9% | 145 |
Don't know | 79% | 12% | 9% | 130 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…
Views about size of government | Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 37% | 58% | 3% | 2% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 16% | 81% | 1% | 1% | 1,799 |
Depends | 9% | 75% | 8% | 7% | 145 |
Don't know | 12% | 76% | 3% | 10% | 130 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about size of government
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say humans…
Views about size of government | Evolved; due to natural processes | Evolved; due to God's design | Evolved; don't know how | Always existed in present form | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smaller government; fewer services | 47% | 28% | 5% | 17% | 3% | 1,807 |
Bigger government; more services | 59% | 21% | 3% | 16% | 1% | 1,799 |
Depends | 46% | 27% | 12% | 7% | 9% | 145 |
Don't know | 53% | 16% | 13% | 9% | 8% | 130 |