WASHINGTON (AP) – Republicans have discredited their political rivals for years by describing them as socialists. But that may not be the insult it once for rank-and-file democrats, who have been warmed up for socialism and increasingly see 'capitalism' as a barb.
A new Gallup survey shows that, although American adults generally have a positive picture of capitalism than socialism, Democrats feel different. According to the survey, only 42% of Democrats are favorable to capitalism, while 66% have a positive picture of socialism.
The image of capitalism has generally gone out with American adults since 2021, finds the survey, and the results show a gradual but persistent shift in the support of Democrats for the two ideologies in the past 15 years, with socialism rising when capitalism falls. The shifts underline deep divisions within the party about whether open support for socialism will harm the ability of Democrats to achieve moderates or to give more support to people who are concerned about issues such as the costs of living.
Those tensions were made in sharp relief earlier this year when Zohran Mamdani, a self -described democratic socialist, won the Democratic Primary in the race for mayor of New York City, which caused some central Democrats to worry about his impact on the national brand of the party. Meanwhile, years after the rebellious presidential campaigns of independent senator Bernie Sanders, Sanders brought a new face and brand on socialism, Sanders attracts huge crowds with a tour that pushes the “fight oligarchy” to embrace his ideas while looking for a path back to viability.
The new poll, conducted in August under a sample of 1,094 American adults, shows that both younger and older Democrats have both been warmed up somewhat on socialism since 2010. But Democrats younger than 50 have to view capitalism much more favorably, while the opinions of Democrats of 50 years and older have not meantful, according to Gallup.
Other polls suggest that the declining popularity of capitalism reflects a growing sense of economic unfairness, instead of a broader rejection of an economic system. The views on free undertaking remain largely positive, according to the new Gallup survey, but the perceptions of Big Business have been soured since 2010.
Capitalism is falling in popularity
Just over half of American adults, 54%, have a positive picture of capitalism, according to the new survey, a slight decrease of 61% in 2010. Democrats have caused part of the shift, but favorable opinions of capitalism have also fallen among independent people.
The rise of Sanders as a national political figure in the past decade also criticized capitalism in mainstream. He ran in vain for the Democratic Presidential Nomination in 2016 and 2020. He is short of both times, but built up a devoted movement around his concept of democratic socialism, pulling crowds and fascinating voters dissatisfied with politics with a message between employees and elites. Mamdani and other young progressive Democrats, such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have put on his work.
Young adults in general – but especially younger Democrats – are much less positive about capitalism than 15 years ago. Only 31% of the Democrats under 50 have a positive picture of capitalism, according to the new poll, compared to 54% in 2010.
Other polls have found fundamental differences between Republicans and Democrats about the honesty of capitalism.
A 2022 research research research showed that only about 2 in 10 Democrats said “all people give all people an equal opportunity to be successful” describes capitalism “extreme” or “very” and said even less that the basic needs of everyone, such as food, health care and housing are met. “
About half of the Republicans said that capitalism gives all people the chance to be successful, but less said that it meets the basic needs of people.
More negative views on large companies
Big Business is also becoming more and more unpopular, according to the new poll. Only 37% of American adults have a positive picture of large companies, a decrease of 49% in 2010.
There has been a broad particial split into views on large companies – 17% of Democrats have a positive image, compared to 60% of Republicans – but the assessments of the Republicans of Big Business have become more negative in recent years.
However, the vast majority of our adults continue to have a positive picture of the free undertaking, which suggests that many Americans remain happy with some elements of the country's economic system.
Socialism becomes more polarizing
Although capitalism has become a little less popular among Americans in general, the views of socialism have remained stable. That is because although Democrats have been somewhat warmed up for the idea, the opinions of Republicans about socialism – which were already negative – have been forced even more.
Now the Gallup survey showed that only 14% of Republicans have a positive picture of socialism compared to 66% of the Democrats. Positive views on socialism have grown among older and younger Democrats, according to the polling from Gallup.
These changing views are a mystery to democratic politicians, who are routinely accused of 'communists' or 'socialists', but have tried historically to turn away from those characterisations. But now, however, the label is increasingly attractive for their basis, which could strengthen the efforts within the party to embrace the concept of socialism instead of harming it.
The shift was clear when Sanders and Mamdani held a joint town hall in New York City on Saturday as part of the bid of Mamdani to lead the democratic stronghold. While Mamdani delivered his opening comments, a man with a shirt reading Cuba and a Cuban flag approached the stage and shouted that Mamdani was a communist. He was removed by security.
“You know that something has changed if it is not enough to name our democratic socialists,” said Mamdani.
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Associated Press writer Jonathan J. Cooper reported from Phoenix.
