Poll: Democratic voters view socialism more favorably than capitalism

Slightly more Democratic voters view socialism more favorably than capitalism, a new Hill-HarrisX poll finds.

Fifty-six percent of Democrats in the Aug. 25-28 survey say they have a favorable view of socialism, compared to 53 percent who said the same of capitalism.

By contrast, Republican voters are overwhelmingly more in favor of capitalism than socialism, at 74 percent and 26 percent, respectively. 

And independent respondents hold a more favorable view of capitalism than socialism by 13 percentage points.

Among registered voters overall, the poll founds capitalism to be viewed more favorably than socialism, at 62 percent and 43 percent, respectively. 

Younger voters in the survey view the two economic systems roughly equally, while older generations heavily favored capitalism.

Fifty-two percent of 18 to 34 year olds said they view capitalism favorably, with the same amount saying the same of socialism.

Some 61 percent of 35 to 49 year olds held a favorable view of capitalism, compared to 59 percent who said the same of socialism.

Voters over 50 were at least 32 percentage points more likely to favor capitalism over socialism.

The Hill-HarrisX poll was conducted online among 971 registered voters between Aug. 25 and 28. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. 

—Gabriela Schulte