5 ways Americans and Europeans are different

There are notable differences across the Atlantic. As our polling has found over the years, Americans and Europeans often have different perspectives on individualism, the role of government, free expression, religion and morality.

1) Americans are more likely to believe they control their own destiny.
2) Americans tend to prioritize individual liberty, while Europeans tend to value the role of the state to ensure no one in society is in need.
3) There is greater tolerance in the US than in Europe for offensive speech. A solid majority (77%) of Americans believe citizens should be allowed to make statements that are offensive to people’s religious beliefs, a significantly higher share of the public than in any of the European Union nations included in our 2015 survey. In Poland, Germany and Italy, fewer than half think this kind of speech should be legal. Similarly, Americans are more likely to say offensive statements about minority groups should be permitted.
4) Religion is significantly less important to Europeans than to Americans.
5) Americans and Europeans don’t always agree on questions about morality.