Daily Research News Online no. 4937 - US Public Distrust of Big Business Grows

US Public Distrust of Big Business Grows

December 12 2005

Most US adults believe big companies (90%) and political action committees (85%) have too much influence in Washington, according to a poll from Harris Interactive. Conversely, many believe small businesses (92%) and non-profit groups (67%) have too little power. Strength of feeling about these imbalances has risen since last year.

Many also think the news media (68%), trade associations (61%) and TV and radio talk shows (51%) have too much influence. And political lobbyists can feel reassured that they are doing their job: 74% feel they have too much power in Washington.

More than half of the public believes racial minorities (58%), churches and religious groups (55%) have too little power and influence in Washington. The public is split on labor unions: 43% believe they have too much power and 46% too little.

The top four institutions seen as having too much power have all seen a rise in their numbers since last year, with big companies seeing the largest increase - from 83% to 90%. All those who are seen as having too little power (with the exception of big companies and political action committees) also saw a rise. The largest increase is in those who believe labor unions have too little power (rising from 37% to 46%).

Longer term changes - between 1994 and 2004 - include:

A decline from 79% to 68% in the number of people who think the news media has too much power and influence
A fall from 38% to 28% in those who think that racial minorities have too much power
A fall from 79% to 74% in those who think political lobbyists have too much power and influence
An increase from 86 to 90% in those who think that big companies have too much power.

Most of those surveyed are probably not expecting much to change as a result of the survey: 53% felt that opinion polls had too little power and influence.

The poll was conducted by telephone in the US between November 8 and 13, 2005 among a nationwide cross section of 1,011 adults. Harris Interactive is online at www.harrisinteractive.com.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.