What Americans Really Mean by “Good Government”
New 2025 Polling Reveals Deep Distrust and Clear Demands for Change
In 2025, as the U.S. navigates yet another cycle of political polarization, economic anxiety, and social change, one question feels especially urgent: what do Americans mean when they say they want “good government”? The newest findings from the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer: U.S. Report and related national surveys like Partnership for Public Service, Pew Research Center, Gallup, and Reason show that citizens are searching for a blend of trustworthy institutions, effective performance, and authentic communication. Although skepticism toward government remains high, the data reveal a nuanced picture of where the public sees both failure and hope.
Trust in Institutions: Low, Uneven, But Not Gone
Trust in government is at a historic low, but it’s not gone altogether. The Partnership for Public Service’s 2025 survey found that only one in three Americans (33%) trust the federal government to do what’s right. Nearly half expressed outright distrust, and about two-thirds said they view Washington as corrupt or wasteful. Yet trust isn’t equally distributed.
People tend to place far more confidence in local government than in federal institutions. The Gallup poll found 67% of Americans trust their local leaders to handle community issues, compared to just 32% who trust Congress. This contrast underscores a key insight: The closer citizens feel government is to their everyday lives, the more credible it becomes.
Another striking finding is based on information and communication. Only 30% of Americans say they trust the information coming from government officials, while government communicators themselves believe nearly twice as many people do. This perception gap points to a fundamental challenge: citizens don’t just want ethical leaders; they want leaders whose words they can believe.
Ultimately, Americans seem to define “good government” as one that earns and deserves trust through transparency, accountability, and consistent integrity at every level.
Perceived Effectiveness: Results Matter More Than Promises
For most Americans, a good government isn’t just honest—it’s competent. Citizens want proof that government policies deliver real-world results. Yet the 2025 data show that many are unconvinced. Only 39% of Americans say the federal government has a positive impact on “people like me,” while nearly half say its impact is negative.
Other measures of performance tell a similar story. Pew Research reports that 56% of Americans consider government “wasteful and inefficient,” while only 42% think it does a better job than people give it credit for. In contrast, private businesses and charities are viewed as more effective at getting things done.
This effectiveness gap is rooted in accountability and visibility. Americans don’t necessarily demand perfection; they want to see government working for them in tangible, everyday ways. Younger generations in particular are attuned to whether government is responsive and relevant. Fewer than one-third of adults under 35 say government communication is clear or transparent, suggesting that competence today also means clarity.
For citizens, good government is one that shows up, not just by managing programs, but by demonstrating impact and explaining results in terms that resonate.
Communication Gaps: The Missing Link Between Policy and People
If trust and performance are the bones of good government, communication is its connective tissue, and it’s badly strained. Across studies, Americans consistently report that they don’t feel well-informed or heard by their leaders.
Only about 30% of citizens trust information from government sources, and that number drops even lower among younger adults. Many say official messages are too complex, too partisan, or simply out of touch. Meanwhile, government communicators often overestimate public confidence in their outreach.
This disconnect is a matter of legitimacy and authenticity. People equate good governance with governments that listen, respond, and explain. The OECD’s Government at a Glance 2025 report highlights that fewer than half of people worldwide believe their governments use the best available evidence or are held fully accountable by their legislatures. Americans reflect this trend, worrying that policymaking is opaque and unresponsive.
In a fragmented media environment, rebuilding communication trust requires more than press releases. Citizens expect authentic dialogue, acknowledgment of trade-offs, and accessible storytelling about how policies affect their daily lives.
What Americans Really Want from Good Government
When you connect the dots between trust, effectiveness, and communication, a clear pattern emerges. Americans want a government that is:
- Transparent and honest, not self-serving or secretive.
- Competent and results-oriented, visibly improving life for ordinary people.
- Clear and relatable, using language that makes sense and invites feedback.
- Close to the community, rooted in local experience rather than distant bureaucracy.
- Nonpartisan in service, built on professionalism and public duty, not political advantage.
Interestingly, even amid deep distrust, Americans overwhelmingly support a nonpartisan, merit-based civil service, suggesting that the public differentiates between “government workers” and “politicians.” In their eyes, good government is pragmatic and ethical, not ideological.
Building Trust Through Leadership: How You Can Make a Difference
The challenges of trust, effectiveness, and communication in government aren’t abstract; they’re very real leadership challenges. Every data point in these studies reflects a growing need for skilled, ethical, and innovative public leaders who can bridge divides and deliver results people believe in.
That’s where a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Cornell University’s Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy comes in. The Brooks School’s Ivy League MPA prepares purpose-driven professionals to lead across government, nonprofit, and private sectors, turning insight into action on the issues shaping our democracy.
Whether you aspire to design evidence-based policies, strengthen local governance, enhance public communication, or manage programs that rebuild trust in public institutions, the Cornell Brooks MPA provides the tools, networks, and real-world experience to make it happen. Graduates go on to careers as policy analysts, program directors, consultants, and executives who bring transparency, accountability, and results to communities across the nation.
If you’re ready to help restore confidence in government and make a measurable impact on the future of public service, the path starts here.
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