2025 Reagan Institute Summer Survey

The 2025 Reagan Institute Summer Survey reveals a striking resurgence in support for American leadership in the world. Nearly two-thirds of Americans now say the United States should be more engaged in international affairs—up over 20 points in less than two years, with growing support across party lines, including among MAGA Republicans.

Americans are not retreating from the world; they are rallying around a foreign policy grounded in peace through strength, strong alliances, and morality in foreign policy. They want the United States to counter authoritarian adversaries, to support our allies and friends, and to uphold freedom and democracy worldwide.

REJECTING ISOLATIONISM

A bipartisan majority of Americans believe U.S. international engagement benefits both America (66%) and the world (67%). The preference for American global leadership over a more isolationist approach is on the rise, up from 40% in 2022 to 64%. Americans of all political stripes want the United States to lead on the international stage, including 65% of Democrats, 69% of Republicans, and 73% of MAGA Republicans. A shift in Republican opinion (up from 59% of Republicans and 61% of MAGA Republicans who supported greater engagement in November 2024) is driving this increase in support for U.S. international leadership; there is no evidence of rising isolationism among the Republican base.

Support for a more isolationist approach to America’s role in the world, in fact, is falling. Less than a quarter (23%) would prefer the United States be less engaged and react to international events, which is down ten points from last summer. Only 57% overall (down five points since last summer) agree with the idea that the United States is better served by withdrawing from international events and focusing on problems here at home.