This Demos report -- New Opportunities? Public Opinion on Poverty and Inequality and Public Policy: 1996-2001 -- uses more than 12 different surveys commissioned by various nonprofit organizations, foundations, and media outlets, and 2 academic surveys of public opinion to provide a look at how the American public views the causes of and potential remedies for poverty. The report highlights two seemingly conflicting values in American society -- "individualism" and "egalitarianism" -- that work to shape public opinion of poverty. The authors also note that, "The data in this paper suggest that using messages that reinforce progressive values of fairness and equality (e.g., if you work hard, you shouldn’t be poor) could be a good starting point for advocates." More on Demos