Say It: Optimism Is Rising
“Hope Springs Eternal in the Human Breast;
Man never is, but always to be blessed.”
Alexander Pope had it right, if you follow the results of a survey produced by a college survey institution whose Optimism Index™ shows that Americans are increasingly optimistic, amid concerns over leadership and progress. The Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent—established through a grant from industry leader Bill Fishlinger and his wife, Joan—has launched a breakthrough measurement of public opinion: the Fishlinger Optimism Index™. The index helps to summarize and unpack the reasons for American confidence in the future. According to the Center, the Fishlinger Optimism Index™ “measures the public’s expectations for the effectiveness of federal policy, the quality of national leadership, the prospect for social progress, personal prosperity, and U.S security and leadership in global affairs.”
The first Fishlinger Optimism Index™ report measures significant swings in public opinion since the presidential election in November.
Given public demonstrations or protests following Donald Trump’s election, it is striking that the Index powerfully demonstrates increased optimism in the days immediately following the inauguration. However, five weeks after the inauguration, public optimism has slumped slightly below pre-inauguration levels.
The Fishlinger Optimism Index™ includes five sub-scores enabling refined analysis of public sentiment.
Following the inauguration, public optimism deteriorated regarding national leadership and social progress. Optimism about the US’s security and role in world affairs stayed relatively high. Perhaps surprising given controversies about NATO, Russia, the Middle East and immigration. As the new administration continues to unfold, the Fishlinger Optimism Index™ will comprehensively measure public optimism and provide refined measures of consistent or shifting opinion. In this study, the Fishlinger Center conducted online national surveys focusing on political issues in the United States.
The Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research opened in February 2015 at the College of Mount Saint Vincent over in Riverdale New York…optimistically.
Spring is the ideal time for such thinking and for a real look at the mood across the USA.
Hopefully the last throes of a gentle winter are behind us as you read this.SA
