As the November midterm elections approach, many people in the US are feeling rather pessimistic about their futures. An Economist/YouGov survey in the US asked how respondents felt about their futures compared with ten years ago. Altogether, 23 percent said they were more optimistic, with 48 percent saying they were more pessimistic.

Another question in the survey, conducted from October 10-12, just over three weeks out from the November 3 election, asked: “Do you feel that things in this country these days are under control or out of control?” Only 19 percent thought they were under control, while 70 percent thought the opposite. A third asked about the direction the country is taking. Altogether, 27 percent thought that it is “generally heading in the right direction” while 66 percent thought it is “off on the wrong track.”

Americans are pessimistic about the country’s direction and inflation remains a major concern. The midterm elections on Nov 3 will test whether that mood translates into votes against President Trump and his ruling party

Americans are pessimistic about the country’s direction and inflation remains a major concern. The midterm elections on Nov 3 will test whether that mood translates into votes against President Trump and his ruling party

Explaining the pessimism

There are numerous factors which can explain the pessimism but two stand out: attitudes to the US president, Donald Trump, and the state of the economy under his administration. Respondents were asked if they agreed or disagreed with various descriptors of the president. The chart below shows the percentages who agreed with each of........

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