"The year 2025 marks a 10-year run in which Americans identify government corruption as their number one fear among the 90 most common fears. Researchers at Chapman University annually poll over 1,000 Americans nationwide and rank their responses by the percentage of Americans who report being afraid or very afraid. The 2025 Survey of American Fears, released on October 21, finds that 69% of respondents are afraid or very afraid of government corruption. Americans' next greatest fear, expressed by 58.9% of respondents, is a loved one becoming seriously ill."
"The findings track with the 20-year World Happiness Study conducted by the United Nations and Gallup World Happiness Study, which finds that the perception of corruption is one of the biggest factors in how people rank their quality of life. The Chapman University research provides insight into why corruption weighs so heavily on Americans. The in-depth study explores how fear shapes daily life, decision-making, and emotional well-being. The researchers find that persistent fear negatively affects individuals' decision-making abilities and causes anxiety, depression, and poor physical health. Further, fear harms communities and society by corroding social trust and civic engagement."
"Majorities of Americans across partisan lines share this fear, which our research suggests stems from their perception that money has distorted the political process, and that powerful and resourceful interests achieve their goals even at the expense of the public good and voter preferences."
Government corruption is the top fear for Americans for a tenth consecutive year, with 69% reporting they are afraid or very afraid in 2025. The second most common fear is a loved one becoming seriously ill, reported by 58.9%. Perceptions of corruption strongly influence quality-of-life rankings globally. Persistent fear impairs decision-making and contributes to anxiety, depression, and poor physical health. Fear also undermines communities by corroding social trust and reducing civic engagement. Perceptions that money distorts politics and that powerful interests override public good intensify political distrust and public anxiety.
Read at Psychology Today
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