A new Harris poll documents that 55 percent of women between the ages of 18 and 54 prefer socialist policies. However, men remained steadfast in their opposition to socialism.
This poll is among the latest in polls indicating that younger generations are becoming more receptive to a state-controlled economy. Above all, women seem to be a demographic that has seen an uptick in support of leftist ideas.
The socialism debate has become one of the larger themes going into the 2020 elections. Just looking at countries within our own hemisphere like Cuba and Venezuela, we see what command and control economies are capable of doing to countries. However, this has not fazed many on the Left on the issue.
The aforementioned Harris poll shows that “the public has varying levels of agreement on what exactly constitutes a socialist political system” and there still remains differing views on what socialism exactly means.
In reality, what this poll shows is that a growing segment of the population wants a mixed economy with more generous social benefits. Nevertheless, this will require a more activist government in order to be enforced.
The poll highlighted what exactly constitutes “socialism” in people’s minds:
The socialism debate has become one of the larger themes going into the 2020 elections. Just looking at countries within our own hemisphere like Cuba and Venezuela, we see what command and control economies are capable of doing to countries. However, this has not fazed many on the Left on the issue.
The aforementioned Harris poll shows that “the public has varying levels of agreement on what exactly constitutes a socialist political system” and there still remains differing views on what socialism exactly means.
In reality, what this poll shows is that a growing segment of the population wants a mixed economy with more generous social benefits. Nevertheless, this will require a more activist government in order to be enforced.
The poll highlighted what exactly constitutes “socialism” in people’s minds:
- Universal healthcare: 76%
- Tuition-free education: 72%
- Living wage: 68%
- State-controlled economy: 66%
- State control and regulation of private property: 61%
- High taxes for the rich: 60%
- State-controlled media and communication: 57%
- Strong environmental regulations: 56%
- High public spending: 55%
- Government “democratizes” private businesses — that is, gives workers control over them — to the greatest extent possible: 52%
- System dependent on dictatorship: 49%
- Workers own and control their places of employment: 48%
- Democratically-elected government: 46%
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