Most young Americans worried about state of US democracy: poll

WASHINGTON - A majority of young Americans are worried about the state of democracy in the United States, according to a new poll released Wednesday by the Harvard University Kennedy School's Institute of Politics.

The poll showed 52 percent of young Americans believe that US democracy is either "in trouble," or "failing," while just 7 percent deem it "healthy."

Amid a constant exacerbation of polarization in the United States, the poll found that respondents placed the chances at 35 percent that a second civil war will break out in their lifetime; those at 25 percent that at least one state secedes.

In addition, American exceptionalism appeared to be a highly divisive issue among young Americans, it showed, with less than one-third believe "America is the greatest country in the world." Half of young Americans believe that there are "other nations as great or greater than America."

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden's approval rating among this group dropped to 46 percent and a majority of youth disapprove of the way Biden, Democrats, and Republicans in Congress are handling their jobs, the poll indicated.

Asked what defines a successful presidency, the respondents listed strengthening the economy, uniting the country, and improving health care as the top three priorities, according to the poll, conducted between Oct. 26 and Nov. 8 with 2,109 American youngsters aged 18-29.