Vox Populi Issue 25

New Survey on Foreign Aid Finds Large Bipartisan Majorities Oppose Deep Cuts

A new survey by the Program for Public Consultation found an overwhelming majority of 89% of Americans say the US should spend at least one percent of the federal budget on foreign aid – the current amount the US spends on aid. This includes 84% of Republicans and 94% of Democrats.

Respondents also evaluated spending on six foreign aid programs. Majorities nationwide want to increase or keep funding the same for humanitarian relief (56%), economic development (56%), global health (64%), education (67%), the environment (65%), and democracy and human rights (60%). Only 8-14% favor eliminating any of the programs. 

While a majority of Republicans favor cutting some programs, less than half support making deep cuts (19-30%) or eliminating them (11-20%). Fifty-eight percent oppose abolishing the US Agency for International Development and folding its functions into the State Department, including 77% of Democrats and 62% of independents. But 60% of Republicans favor the move. View Briefing on Foreign Aid Survey Findings & Discussion from Feb. 18 Brookings Event

Swing Six Series Adds 50+ Positions to CGOAP

In 2024, the Swing Six Issue Survey series conducted by the Program for Public Consultation identified over 50 new areas of common ground in the Swing States and across the nation—policy positions supported by majorities of both Republicans and Democrats. Voice of the People is proud to add these to our Common Ground of the American People list, which now includes more than 200 bipartisan policy positions. You can explore the full list here: https://vop.org/common-ground/.

By engaging constituents in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan, as well as nationally, this survey series provided a clearer picture of how Americans—when given clear information about the problem and proposed solutions—find agreement on solutions to national challenges. These findings reinforce the potential for bipartisan consensus, even on complex and divisive issues.

Through partnerships with media outlets such as Maryland Matters, The Nevada Independent, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and PennLive, we helped bring these shared policy priorities to a wider audience. The strong public response underscores a growing demand for solutions-focused democratic participation. 

National Civic League Improves Healthy Democracy Map, Adds Data From 15 States

The National Civic League has added data from 15 more states to the Healthy Democracy Ecosystem Map. This update doesn’t just expand the map—it also introduces a brand-new feature that lets users sort by category of work. Now, it’s easier than ever to explore the dynamic landscape of initiatives strengthening democracy across the nation. To view the map, visit https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/2024-healthy-democracy/.

UN Democracy Fund Hosts Deliberative Democracy Webinar

The UN Democracy Fund, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), hosted a special webinar focused on deliberative democracy and its potential to enhance citizen engagement in public life. The discussion explored how this innovative approach fosters inclusive, collective decision-making through public deliberation. Oliver Escobar, Professor of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation at the University of Edinburgh, explained that deliberative democracy emphasizes considered judgment, inclusion, respect, and reflection, offering a powerful tool to address the challenges of division and polarization in today’s societies.

Experts highlighted the mutual benefits of involving citizens in such processes. Ian Walker, Executive Director of the New Democracy Foundation, noted that leaders often appreciate the legitimacy and support gained from inclusive decision-making. He shared, “People in elected office find it really complimentary when people from all walks of life, different jobs, different backgrounds stand next to them and say, ‘this is a fair decision.’” By empowering communities to envision and shape their collective future, deliberative democracy holds promise as a path to stronger, more cohesive societies.

Bipartisan Support Found For Low Tariffs With Trade Partners, High Tariffs for China

Americans agree: maintaining higher tariffs on China while keeping lower tariffs on other countries who follow agreed-upon rules is preferred to blanket 10-20% tariffs.  The Program for Public Consultation’s Swing Six Issue Survey on International Trade found bipartisan majorities in all swing states (80-85%) approve of the US working with other countries to continue the current system of low tariffs that was put in place after World War II. This includes majorities of Republicans (73-78%) and Democrats (86-93%). Nationally, 81% approve (Republicans 74%, Democrats 88%). When asked to choose between continuing the system of low tariffs, or raising all tariffs to 10-20%, less than half in all swing states and nationally preferred raising all tariffs, including less than half of Republicans (34-42%). Among all demographic groups – age, race, ethnicity, education and income – there was no majority who preferred higher tariffs. In open-ended questions where respondents could expound on their answers, many noted the importance of free trade for the U.S. “Free trade is good for this country, and having an open international trading market with low taxes always encourages good economic returns, and as a small business owner, anything that’s good for business is good for me,” one stated.  “Access to global markets for domestic producers and consumers is an inescapable reality and opportunity in the modern, technology-facilitated economic environment,” another said. “National economies that ignore this fact and opt for isolationist policies will lose revenues, shrink and be non-competitive.” Although the proposal to raise all tariffs was soundly rejected, many Americans found convincing the arguments underpinning that proposal (which were presented before respondents made their final recommendation).  The argument that higher tariffs will, “protect US businesses from cheap foreign goods and bring back good paying jobs,” and that politicians have, “cared more about low consumer prices and free trade than the American working class,” resonated heavily with Americans of all political stripes. In the swing states, it was found convincing by about three-quarters of Republicans and over six-in-ten Democrats. While the arguments against the 10-20% tariffs did better, clearly politicians should not ignore the widespread public sentiments that US trade policy has its downsides. Most Americans are also not opposed to raising tariffs when a trade partner is violating trade rules. The US continuing to impose high tariffs on Chinese imports in response to their alleged theft of US companies’ intellectual property and their “dumping” of below-market-value goods in the US, is supported by bipartisan majorities in every swing state (69-78%) favor. There is very little difference between Republicans and Democrats on this (swing state Republicans 75-78%, Democrats 67-82%).