Eric Jansson responds to a survey suggesting that only one in 10 Europeans now view the US as an ally, noting that this aligns with Americans' own distrust of their government. According to a recent Pew Research Center poll, only 2% of Americans trust the US government “just about always” and 15% trust it “most of the time,” a sharp decline from 73% in 1958. Jansson argues against conflating the people of a country with their government, emphasizing that Europeans and Americans remain natural allies. He concludes that this shared skepticism highlights common ground between the two populations.
Survey Findings on European Views
The survey, reported on 10 June, indicates a dramatic shift in European perceptions of the US as an ally. Only one in 10 Europeans now consider the US a reliable partner, reflecting growing disillusionment with American foreign policy. This finding mirrors domestic trends in the US, where trust in government has plummeted to historic lows.
Historical Context of Trust
Pew Research data shows that American trust in government peaked in 1958 at 73% and has since eroded significantly. The current figures—2% trusting “always” and 15% “most of the time”—underscore a widespread sentiment that transcends political affiliations. This mutual distrust between citizens and their governments suggests a deeper crisis of confidence in democratic institutions.
Jansson urges readers to distinguish between governments and the people they represent, a principle applicable to nations worldwide. He asserts that despite political differences, Europeans and Americans share fundamental values and can find common ground beyond governmental actions.
