Just 53% Say Capitalism Better Than Socialism...

[Henry Hawk]

This is SCAREY ...

Only 53% of American adults believe capitalism is better than socialism.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 20% disagree and say socialism is better. Twenty-seven percent (27%) are not sure which is better.

Adults under 30 are essentially evenly divided: 37% prefer capitalism, 33% socialism, and 30% are undecided. Thirty-somethings are a bit more supportive of the free-enterprise approach with 49% for capitalism and 26% for socialism. Adults over 40 strongly favor capitalism, and just 13% of those older Americans believe socialism is better.

Investors by a 5-to-1 margin choose capitalism. As for those who do not invest, 40% say capitalism is better while 25% prefer socialism.

There is a partisan gap as well. Republicans - by an 11-to-1 margin - favor capitalism. Democrats are much more closely divided: Just 39% say capitalism is better while 30% prefer socialism. As for those not affiliated with either major political party, 48% say capitalism is best, and 21% opt for socialism.

[me]

At least the capitalists are still in the majority. I think the ones who agree with socialism don't really understand what that means.

[Mr442]

A small amount of Socialism is required to make Capitalism work for the masses.

[me]

The key word being small there.  It's suddenly trying to engulf us here and I'm not real happy about it either. 

[Mr442]

There are some in power who would very much like to tip the balance the wrong way.  That worries me.

[Anne]

I think it is interesting that the younger the age group the more believe that socialism is better. Maybe it is that entitlement mentality that a lot of young people have now. It is like they don't think they need to work for anything. How many newly weds or cohabiting couples now would willing live in a 20 by 20 one bedroom apartment and consider themselves lucky to have it and a 6 year old car and a job? Not many I bet.

[Ma and Pa]

Not any, I bet.

[Exterminator]

You conveniently left out this part:

It is interesting to compare the new results to an earlier survey in which 70% of Americans prefer a free-market economy. The fact that a "free-market economy" attracts substantially more support than "capitalism" may suggest some skepticism about whether capitalism in the United States today relies on free markets.

Other survey data supports that notion. Rather than seeing large corporations as committed to free markets, two-out-of-three Americans believe that big government and big business often work together in ways that hurt consumers and investors.