Driven by ignorance, Americans increasingly embrace socialism after decades of rejection

Findings from a Fox News poll released Friday indicate that a historic high of 38% of registered voters now consider it positive for the country to shift from capitalism toward socialism, marking an increase from 32% in 2022 and 18% in 2010. 

The shifting sentiment towards socialism may not necessarily reflect fuzzy feelings for its ideals, but rather a lack of understanding of what those ideals are, according to professor of political science, Nicholas Giordano. “Sometimes the simplest explanation is the best explanation. People are gravitating toward socialism because they've never really been taught what socialism is," Giordano told Just The News.

"Ask any student today to define capitalism or socialism, and you would be hard-pressed to get a coherent, straightforward response,” Giordano added.

Anti-Trump sentiment disguised

Another contributor to the recent uptick in socialism's favorability could be that it's near-inverse, capitalism, is, to some, synonymous with President Donald Trump. Those who disdain Trump generally prefer socialism and vice versa. 

Trump, a lifelong real estate developer and businessman who built a brand synonymous with wealth and deal-making, governed as a staunch advocate for capitalism in his first term by slashing corporate tax rates from 35% to 21% through the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, unleashing a surge in business investment and stock market gains. 

Additionally, his deregulatory agenda throughout both terms—rolling back thousands of pages of federal rules in energy, finance, and environmental sectors—mirrored the instincts of a CEO who flexed speed, adaptability, and reduced government interference over bureaucratic red tape. 

Trump has championed his "America First" trade policies, renegotiating deals like NAFTA into the USMCA (Unites States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), and confronting China on intellectual property theft and unfair subsidies. Trump has consistently sought to protect and empower American businesses, entrepreneurs and workers in a way that reflected his decades of experience negotiating high-stakes business contracts.

Despite this rise in the poll, a clear majority of 61% still regard such a move as unfavorable. The idea appeals most strongly to very liberal individuals, younger Democrats, Black voters, and those under 30, while Republicans, conservatives, older men, and seniors express the firmest resistance. 

Students not equipped to understand effects of socialism

Opinions on capitalism itself are nearly even, with 51% believing it functions well to some degree and 49% viewing it as ineffective.

While educators aren't equipping students with adequate information about socialism and communism and their failures, including leading to the death of some 100 million people globally, those students aren't seeking out information on their own, according to Giordano.

"I also think this is critical: few students today are introduced to the works of, or even know the names of Adam Smith, Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek, and Thomas Sowell."

These four economists shared similar views, that voluntary exchange, individual liberty, and decentralized price signals generally produce greater prosperity, efficiency, and human flourishing than centrally planned or heavily regulated systems.