WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the U.S., liberals and conservatives report markedly different levels of confidence in nearly every key institution Gallup measures, reflecting the general polarization that typifies the country today. The confidence gap — the difference between groups in levels of confidence for a particular institution — is largest for the presidency (by 36 percentage points), followed by the church (27 points) and the police (26 points). Liberals have more confidence in the presidency, while conservatives are more likely to trust the church and the police.

While most institutions elicit sizable gaps in confidence among liberals and conservatives, Congress and TV news, both lowly regarded institutions, generate similar levels of confidence. Conversely, the military and small business are held in high esteem by large segments of liberals and conservatives.

These results are based on a June 2-7 Gallup poll that included Gallup’s latest update on Americans’ confidence in 15 U.S. institutions.

Overall, confidence in most major U.S. institutions continues to linger well below historical norms, suggesting that Americans’ dissatisfaction with the central organizations of society is not confined to one political philosophy or viewpoint. But given that ideology represents an individual’s values […]