By the way

 I found a few interesting survey questions that I want to record here before I forget:

1.  A couple of years ago, I talked about a series of questions that distinguished between economic and social ideology that started in 1999.  Contrary to what is often suggested, people consistently rated themselves as more liberal on "social issues" than on "economic issues."  I recently found a couple of earlier questions on the same topic:

a.  A 1987 survey of people aged 18-44 asked them to rate themselves on "economic matters", "foreign policy issues," and "social issues."  The results

                        Liberal    Middle    Conservative

economic        18%        44%        31%

social                26%        41%       26%  

foreign             20%        35%        32%

b.  A survey of the adult population in 1978 asked "People who are liberal on economic matters usually are in favor of stepping up federal programs to solve the problems of poverty and unemployment, they tend to support labor rather than business, and they think there should be more government planning and regulation of the economy. People who are conservative on economic matters tend to side with business rather than labor, they believe that government should be as small as possible, and it should interfere less with free enterprise. When it comes to economic matters like these, would you say you area generally very liberal, somewhat liberal, middle-of-the-road, somewhat conservative, or very conservative?" and "People who are liberal in their lifestyles tend to support affirmative action for blacks and other minorities, they are more in favor of women's liberation, and they are not so likely to condemn marijuana smoking or sexual freedom. People who are conservative in their lifestyles tend to be strongly in favor of the death penalty and more often than not, they are opposed to laws that permit abortion or homosexuality. When it comes to social matters like these, would you say you are generally very liberal, somewhat liberal, middle-of-the-road, somewhat conservative or very conservative?"

                        Liberal    Middle    Conservative

economic            19%        32%        48%

social                  22%        27%        48%

In both cases, the average ratings on social issues were to the left of average ratings on economic issues, although the difference was small in 1978.

 2.  In 1955, the Gallup Poll asked "SUPPOSE YOU WERE TALKING TO A PERSON, IN A GENERAL WAY, ABOUT THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES. WHICH ONE OF THESE STATEMENTS ON THIS CARD BEST EXPRESSES YOUR OWN POINT OF VIEW?

I. THE UNITED STATES IS THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, BETTER THAN ALL OTHER COUNTRIES IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY

II. THE UNITED STATES IS A GREAT COUNTRY, BUT SO ARE CERTAIN OTHER COUNTRIES

III. IN MANY RESPECTS, CERTAIN OTHER COUNTRIES ARE BETTER THAN THE UNITED STATES

They asked the same question in 1991, and Pew asked it in 1996.  

              Better than all            Great          Others better

1955             66%                       31%              1%

1991             37%                       54%              9%

1996             37%                       49%            12%

[Data from the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research]