Political and economic alienation have only a modest connection to anti-Semitism.

Confirming the three previous studies, the 1998 poll finds that political and economic alienation appear to have only a modest impact on an individual's propensity to accept anti-Jewish stereotypes.

As the 1992 study pointed out, no poll can determine whether a dramatic change in the economic or political climate of the country could trigger an increase in overt anti-Semitism. But the current survey shows only a small correlation between anti-Semitism and political alienation or economic distress.

The chart on the following page shows that the more anti-Semitic someone is, the more likely they are to:

• Express sympathy for the concerns of anti-government militia groups.
• Agree that militia groups have the right to use force to defend themselves from "federal government interference."
• Believe that a small group of businessmen and government leaders meet secretly to make our country's decisions.

The most anti-Semitic group of Americans is also somewhat more likely than the rest of the public to:

• Believe the U.S. economy is not in good shape.
• Feel that they personally do not earn enough money to lead the kind of life they want.
• See themselves as worse off financially than they were five years ago.

Worry that they or someone in their household might lose their job in the near future.

Next: Anti-Semitism and Attitudes Toward Israel