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Most Americans admit they do not have detailed knowledge of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, but they have absorbed the core values: majority rule, with protection for the rights of all. In our latest study, "Knowing It by Heart: Americans Consider the Constitution and its Meaning," conducted for the National Constitution Center, Public Agenda found Americans have a regard for the Constitution that is deep but not blind.

Americans believe the Constitution is a fundamentally great document, but say we should only help other countries imitate it "if they ask." They say rights have to be balanced with the interests of others, and are willing to set aside their own personal views to consider the rights of others. The public says while equal rights should belong to all, nearly two-thirds say the rich and powerful end up with more rights than the average person.

After Sept. 11, Americans want the government to take strong measures to prevent more attacks, but the vast majority also seems to recoil at cavalier infringement of people's rights. Most are uncomfortable with blatant forms of profiling, and many voice some concern that government actions could threaten privacy. Still, the public appears ready to live with increased surveillance in some circumstances and they are loath to provide much protection to anyone in the country illegally. On the issue of privacy, people see the greatest threats coming from banks and credit card companies, not from government or law enforcement.

What's more, many worry that the country's traditions of freedom could be weakened by apathy and lack of patriotism, especially among the young. Americans strongly believe that rights and responsibilities go hand in hand and consider failing to vote or show up for jury duty serious breaches of civic duty. Although young people in America are less likely to vote and more likely to accept excuses for not voting, they show more concern about issues of due process. Schools get mixed reviews for their approach to teaching the Constitution; senior citizens seem to have had a more interesting learning experience as schoolchildren than their younger counterparts.

A Web summary of "Knowing It by Heart" is available at: http://www.publicagenda.org/specials/constitution/constitution.htm

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A press release on the report is available at: http://www.publicagenda.org/aboutpa/aboutpa3zz.htm

Funding for "Knowing It by Heart was provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.