Democrats, Young Voters Attracted By Socialism

Democrats are far less convinced than Republicans and unaffiliated voters that a free-market system is superior to a socialist one and are much more willing to vote for a socialist candidate. Those under 40 are a lot more responsive to the siren call of socialism than older voters are.

Democrats are far less convinced than Republicans and unaffiliated voters that a free-market system is superior to a socialist one and are much more willing to vote for a socialist candidate. Those under 40 are a lot more responsive to the siren call of socialism than older voters are.

A new Heartland Institute and Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 69% of all Likely U.S. Voters rate a free-market economic system as better than socialism. Just 12% think socialism is a better economic system, but 18% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

A closer look, however, finds that while 87% of Republicans and 69% of voters not affiliated with either major party see a free-market system as better, just 53% of Democrats agree. Twenty-one percent (21%) of Democrats like socialism better, with a sizable 25% not sure.

Forty-one percent (41%) of Democrats say they would vote for a presidential candidate who identifies himself or herself as a socialist, but only 19% of GOP voters and 16% of unaffiliateds agree.