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While the horrific events of September 11, 2001 and their aftermath have dominated the attention of the news media, and the lives of all Americans may be forever affected by those tragic happenings, it is also the case that, for most citizens, day-to-day living continues to focus on issues related to home, work, family, local community.

Unlike most other pubic opinion polls which deal with national (and sometimes international) issues, The Citizens’ Viewpoint asked people throughout Pennsylvania about local and state-level concerns with the goal of providing information to educators, public officials, community leaders, and residents that can contribute to understanding and addressing these issues. 

The study was carried out in 2000-2001 by the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State as part of the University’s commitment to outreach and Cooperative Extension.  The Department had previously  conducted similar Pennsylvania Citizens’ Viewpoint surveys in 1980 and 1990.  Data from the three studies combined provide information for assessing changes in public opinion across two decades.  

This website includes both information on the findings from the most recent (2001) survey and,  reports from the 1980 and 1990 surveys.   <<<back

As American society has grown in size, complexity, and specialization, the direct participation of citizens in the day-to-day decisions of community life has increasingly given way to a system in which many decisions are made by elected and appointed public officials or other leaders . In a democratic society these representatives should represent the “will of the people” as they govern.  But how can the “will of the people” be known?  Editorials, letters, face-to-face contacts, picketing, demonstrations, and protests may provide distorted or inaccurate views of citizen opinions since they often represent only the most vocal, most organized or best funded groups.  Some opportunities for public input through election and referendum are available, but, for many decisions, leaders must act without such directives.

A more accurate assessment of citizen views can be obtained by carrying out scientific surveys using representative samples from the population.  Such public opinion polls are used to understand the attitudes, beliefs, and preferences of the public about a wide range of issues and contribute to political, business, and marketing decision-making.  Much of the polling that is done utilizes nationwide samples and focuses on national and international concerns.  However, public opinion polls dealing with state and municipal issues are increasingly recognized as important sources of citizen input into decisions at the local, regional, and state levels as well. 

Although “one shot” surveys can provide much useful information on current public views, the meaning of the obtained data can be enhanced and an understanding of changing citizen concerns assessed by the availability of similar information from comparable surveys carried out in other time periods.  Previous Citizens Viewpoint surveys, also conducted by Penn State, provide historical background to the finding of the 2001 Citizens’ Viewpoint study.  

The first Citizens’ Viewpoint survey in Pennsylvania was done in 1980 by the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State as part of its public outreach programming through Cooperative Extension.  The results of that study were widely disseminated throughout the state and utilized extensively in educational programming and public decision-making. 

A decade later, in 1990, a second Citizens’ Viewpoint survey was carried out by the same Department to provide a then current assessment of public opinion concerning many of the same issues addressed in 1980.  This study resulted in numerous popular publications, and educational materials and contributed extensively to outreach programming of the College.                               

In 2001, a third Citizens’ Viewpoint survey was conducted to assess current and changing public opinion in regard to state and local issues.  Included were questions dealing with residents’ perception of issues related to economic growth, environmental protection, land use planning, taxation, education, human services, government, and other areas.  While the purpose of this website is to dissemination the findings from the 2001 Citizens’ Viewpoint, reports from the 1980 and 1990 studies are included as well.    <<<back