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.

Those who do not know which is better or worse most likely do not know if a difference exists between socialism and capitalism. However, those in this situation of ignorance—of not knowing the difference—are much closer to the truth than those who do know. Why? Because, at its core, capitalism is socialism in its private (corrupted) form. All is always socialism.

Charles Mudede—who writes about film, books, music, and his life in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, the USA, and the UK for The Stranger—was born near a steel plant in Kwe Kwe, Zimbabwe. He has no memory...

15 replies on “United States of Socialism”

  2. The problem is, 97% of American adults couldn’t tell you the difference between capitalism and socialism if their life depended on it.

  3. I seem to recall a similar survey a few years ago in which a majority of Americans identified the phrase “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs” as being from either the Bill of Rights or the Declaration of Independence.

  4. I think putting up barriers to get the basic necessities of life should be made illegal. No one should go hungry or sleep in the streets, if you want 20 cars and 30 wives go be a capitalist, but no one should have to put in 40 hours a week just to live, especially when there isn’t enough work to be done anymore.

  6. Yes, all is socialism. And socialism is always corrupted into capitalism, et cetera. In the end, so long as there is anything to have, nothing is incorruptible by human greed and all roads which stray even slightly from the rule of law lead to the stronger and wealthier taking from the poorer and weaker.

  7. Polling like this doesn’t happen often. It seems to be in response to the faux debate from right wing blowhard pundits based on the false premise that the U.S. is currently “capitalist”, and Obama wants to make it “socialist”.

    Of the 53% that said capitalism > socialism, I wonder how many think the U.S. is capitalist (and are effectively saying things are pretty good how they are), and how many actually know it isn’t and wish we would go in that direction? The pundits are exactly the type of people that would use these results to claim that America wants to move further to the right, if they hadn’t already pimped the idea that the U.S. is already capitalist. That might not even stop them…

  9. There IS no difference between capitalism and socialism. There is only a difference between state socialism and market socialism. Only market socialism works. Every successful modern society is based on market socialism in varying degrees (but not varying by as much as you think).

  10. @5 LOL!

    Charles, you are a puzzle.

    On the one hand your unquestioning faith in “socialism” suggests a frightened boy hiding behind ideology so as not to face the terrifying and liberating complexity of humanity.

    On the other hand, some of your posts are just so far out there, they suggest a grown man who embraces the obligations and perils that come with thinking freely.

    Just sayin.

  11. seander, Charles is not unquestioning towards socialism. He questions it all the time. Which means you’re judging him rather harshly without having read much of his work. Or you’re familiar with Mudede’s work and mischaracterizing it out of malice. Just saying.

  12. why would we agree with the right wing and describe western european social democracies as socialism?
    capitalism with national heath care and strong regulation and progressive income taxes including 55% marginal rates is not socialism. france is not socialistic nor is sweden. state socialism is socialism.

    pls make a note of it & stop dumbing down the terminology as per right wing frames.

  13. This poll was conducted – obviously – by and for leftists.

    Hard traditionalists like myself will continue to come out of the closet and we will reflect the kind of principals America was founded on.

    There is no way on earth that so many good Americans would choose totalitarian socialism over the freedom America has offered for more than 200 years.

  15. Charles, I checked Pacific Lutheran’s website and you’ve got an economics department. I recommend that you enroll in Economics 101. I’m guessing you can get a break on the tuition. Good luck!

Comments are closed.