MUM'S THE WORD

摘要

SELF-CENSORSHIP is on the rise in the U.S., according to a national survey by the Cato Institute. Some 62% of Americans say the political climate these days prevents them from saying things they believe because others might find them offensive. In 2017, 58% of Americans agreed with this statement. These fears cross partisan lines. Majorities of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans all agree they have political opinions they are afraid to share. Strong liberals stand out, however, as the only political group who feel they can express themselves. Fifty-eight percent indicate they can say what they believe. However, centrist liberals feel differently. A slim majority (52%) of liberals say they have to self-censor, as do 64% of moderates, and 77% of conservatives. This demonstrates that political expression is an issue that divides the Democratic coalition between centrist Democrats and their left flank. What has changed? In 2017,54% of centrist liberals felt confident they could express their views. Today, however, 48% feel the same. The share who think they cannot be open increased from 45% in 2017 to 52% today. In fact, there have been shifts across the board, where more people among all political groups profess to walking on eggshells.