Where Does America Stand in the World?
USAFri Jan 09 2026
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Many Americans think the U. S. should be a moral leader globally, but fewer believe it is one today. A recent poll shows a big drop in this belief since 2017. Now, only 39% think the U. S. is a moral leader, down from 60%.
The poll also found that nearly half of Americans want the U. S. to stay out of other countries' affairs. This shows a shift in how people think about America's role in the world.
When it comes to foreign policy, opinions are split. 46% of Americans think the U. S. should focus on enriching America and its people. Meanwhile, 32% believe promoting democracy and human rights in other countries should be the priority. This is a drop from 42% in 2017.
The poll also looked at how Americans see the U. S. compared to other countries. Most Americans still see the U. S. as the top military power and the world's superpower. However, half think the U. S. has been losing influence over the last five years. Republicans and Democrats have different views on this.
On the other hand, 57% of Americans think China has been gaining influence. Many also see China as the leader in technology development. This shows a growing recognition of China's power.
The poll was conducted before recent events like the U. S. military operation in Venezuela. A separate poll on this issue showed mixed opinions, with about a third approving, a third disapproving, and a third unsure.
The survey also found big differences in opinions between Democrats and Republicans. For example, most Democrats think the U. S. should focus on promoting democracy and human rights. But most Republicans think the U. S. should focus on enriching America and its people.
On Ukraine, Democrats and independents think the U. S. is not giving enough support to Kyiv. Republicans, however, think the U. S. is giving too much support to Russia.
When it comes to Taiwan, opinions are mixed. 36% of Americans think the U. S. should defend Taiwan if China uses military force. But 41% are unsure, showing a lot of uncertainty about this issue.
