Socialism might have been a dirty word in the very recent past, but as the haves pull so far ahead of the have-nots they can't see each other across the divide, a recent CBS News poll shows Democratic voters divided on their preferred economic system.
Ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, most Americans believe a free market system is a good thing, but they feel it's harder now to buy a house, raise a family, and feel financially secure than for the last generation.
And that has the Democratic rank-and-file with a higher view of socialism than capitalism.
That's right - the poll showed Democrats mostly positive on socialism and having a more favorable impression of it than of capitalism.
Specifically, while two-thirds of voters overall support the free market system, only 32% of Democrats have a positive view of capitalism, with nearly 6-in-ten holding a positive view of socialism.
Younger people, in particular, feel that opportunities are fewer and call the current U.S. economic system unfair. Democrats with college degrees tend to have more favorable views of socialism, perceive a gap between the richest and the middle class, and are less likely to say the Democratic Party is "effective."
Overall, 35% of the more than 2,280 Americans polled across party lines said they viewed socialism positively, while 46% had a positive view of capitalism. 42% said they viewed socialism negatively, while 43% had a negative view of capitalism. And there was plenty of people who issued a giant shrug: 23% of respondents said they had no opinion on socialism, and 20% had no opinion on capitalism.
Democrats are split on how progressive the party should be, with about half feeling it's as progressive as they want and the other half feeling it's not progressive enough. And as some lean into the most socialistic side -- like Abdul El-Sayed, Michigan Senate candidate, and New York Mayor Mahmood Mamdani, others are sounding an alarm.
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, for instance, called the poll results "lunacy."
The Democratic Party is becoming the party of socialism.
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) August 16, 2026
58% view socialism positively.
50% view capitalism negatively.
I’m a proud free market capitalist.
This is lunacy. pic.twitter.com/i88gX2VWXF
And Republicans are pouncing on it, countering with messaging against the dangers of socialism, and highlighting the ideological divide in the lead-up to the elections.
