One in five Americans prefer socialism to capitalism, say polls

[Scam of God]

Further proof of the stupidity of the herd.

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I hope this doesn't become problematic. Especially concerning is that, according to this poll, a third of people my age are socialists.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Capitalism hasn't exactly been performing that well lately.

[Scam of God]

Capitalism hasn't exactly been performing that well lately.

It will right itself that much quicker if we let this business cycle run its course.

[Lunar]

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/04/have-nots-arent-having-it.html

[Scam of God]

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/04/have-nots-arent-having-it.html

Are there any historical trends in preference?

[War on Want]

Most American's definition of socialism is stupid anyway. I would bet that most who prefered socialism to capitalism think that socialism is in reality social democracy.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     It highlights a very disturbing political reality.

[Lunar]

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/04/have-nots-arent-having-it.html

Are there any historical trends in preference?

As Silver said in his article, it's not really an often-polled question, although I would expect it to be happening more frequently now.  Pollsters would love to make headlines "support of socialism declines" and whatnot.

[Bono]

Only one in five? That's poll's gotta be defective.

[Scam of God]

Only one in five? That's poll's gotta be defective.

The thing is, Rasmussen polls are frequently slanted Republican. I would not be surprised to see that the number of people who think "Socialism, duh... yay socialism!" is really much higher, while actual socialists - those who want to appropriate the means of production - is much smaller.

[Lunar]

the word "socialism" has extreme negative connotations in American society (unlike Europe), wouldn't be surprised if the number would be higher with a synonym

[Hash]

And 90% have no clue what socialism is.

[DownWithTheLeft]

I'm surprised I would have thought it was closer to 52.87%

[minionofmidas]

     It highlights a very disturbing political reality.

If ...

Most American's definition of socialism is stupid anyway. I would bet that most who prefered socialism to capitalism think that socialism is in reality social democracy.

then you're certainly right. Though not in the sense you meant it.

But of course most people are actually not as dumb as whoever posed this dumb question. And it sort of depends what they (poll answering people) understood by "capitalism".

[Tetro Kornbluth]

I doubt most Americans - hell most people on this forum can't - can give a coherent defintion of both Capitalism and Socialism.

[Rob]

It's encouraging that so many Americans are willing to identify themselves with an ideology that is feared and loathed by the media, government, businesses, churches, etc. I think most people have at least a vague notion of what "socialism" is- they hear it attacked all the time- so it makes me wonder what kind of potential there is in this country for an actual left-wing party.

[Sensei]

I'm surprised I would have thought it was closer to 52.87%

He's here all week, guys.

Tip your waitresses.

[DownWithTheLeft]

I'm surprised I would have thought it was closer to 52.87%

He's here all week, guys.

Tip your waitresses.

The better question may actually be what percentage of that 52.87% can't spell socialism

[Associate Justice PiT]

     It highlights a very disturbing political reality.

If ...

Most American's definition of socialism is stupid anyway. I would bet that most who prefered socialism to capitalism think that socialism is in reality social democracy.

then you're certainly right. Though not in the sense you meant it.

But of course most people are actually not as dumb as whoever posed this dumb question. And it sort of depends what they (poll answering people) understood by "capitalism".

     I was actually referring to a different political reality, but that works too.

[War on Want]

     It highlights a very disturbing political reality.

If ...

Most American's definition of socialism is stupid anyway. I would bet that most who prefered socialism to capitalism think that socialism is in reality social democracy.

then you're certainly right. Though not in the sense you meant it.

But of course most people are actually not as dumb as whoever posed this dumb question. And it sort of depends what they (poll answering people) understood by "capitalism".

I feel stupid for asking this but what do you mean here?

[justfollowingtheelections]

I'm surprised I would have thought it was closer to 52.87%

He's here all week, guys.

Tip your waitresses.

The better question may actually be what percentage of that 52.87% can't spell socialism

We know for a fact that the 45.7% you're a part of, can't




I'm probably somewhere in the middle (I believe that education and healthcare should be free and accessible to everyone, but I don't mind the existence of free markets when it comes to everything else), but I would probably say that I prefer socialism if I participated in this poll just to piss off morons like the guy in the picture I just posted.

[opebo]

Hahaha, this thread is hilarious. 

Does socialism involve blood in the streets?

[jokerman]

It's encouraging that so many Americans are willing to identify themselves with an ideology that is feared and loathed by the media, government, businesses, churches, etc.

^^^^

Certainly makes me a bit more optimistic.

[SPC]

It's encouraging that so many Americans are willing to identify themselves with an ideology that is feared and loathed by the media, government, businesses, churches, etc.

Yeah, I can't believe capitalism had so many supporters either.

[pbrower2a]

And 90% have no clue what socialism is.

The word socialism means whatever someone wants it to mean -- typically (from the Right)

1. Any compromise with unconstrained plutocracy, and

2. Communism as exemplified by Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot

-- of course the two are recognized as identical.  You know the idea -- taxing the rich is identical to Stalin's purges, as many of us were taught in school or by white-collar worker parents.