From Fortune · Luba Kassova · · 2m
Why Gen Z is drawn to communism
Young Americans favor communism at rates that alarm those who lived through it, but their reasons have little to do with Soviet history.
In brief
Young Americans favor communism at rates that alarm those who lived through it, but their reasons have little to do with Soviet history. Gen Z's interest in communism stems from economic frustration with capitalism, not ideological commitment to authoritarian regimes, and politicians' anti-communist rhetoric may be…
Four in ten Gen Z favor communism
A Cato Institute survey found 38% of Americans aged 18-29 view communism favorably, double the rate among 45-54 year olds and triple that of those 55-64.
“four in ten (38%) 18-to-29-year-olds are favorable towards communism”
Google searches for communism surging
Searches for communism in the US have jumped 82% since 2006, reaching all-time highs. News mentions of socialism now match those of capitalism globally.
“Google searches for communism have reached an all-time high in the US, up 82% since 2006”
Trump's red-baiting escalated rhetoric
President Trump mentioned communism 81 times in two weeks around July 4th, using the term as a midterm campaign tactic against opponents.
“President Trump drastically escalated his warnings about communism this summer, mentioning the term 81 times”
Young people lack Soviet context
Gen Z grew up three generations removed from the Soviet era and turn to Google and AI to understand terms like communism, socialism, and authoritarianism that hold no historical meaning for them.
“We grew up without memories of the Soviet era. We view these terms more abstractly”
Red-baiting backfired on Republicans
When Republicans label popular policies like universal healthcare as socialism or communism, young people see those policies as good and conclude communism might be good too.
“when you see something that looks good for people being labelled socialism, or communism, you think, 'Well, those things seem good'”
Gen Z prefers socialism over capitalism
Fifty-three percent of 18-29 year olds favor socialism compared to 45% who favor capitalism, reflecting deep dissatisfaction with the current economic system.
Housing crisis defines Gen Z economics
The median age of first-time home buyers jumped from 29 in 1981 to 40 in 2025, alongside soaring costs, student debt, and stagnant wages that fuel interest in alternative systems.
Crony capitalism, not real capitalism
Young people see billionaires controlling media, corporations funding politicians, monopolies, and outsourced labor as proof that American capitalism is broken and corrupt.
“we've seen large corporations become a sort of authoritarian entity in themselves”
Gen Z wants economic democracy
Young people seek more regulation, individual say in the economy, and limits on CEO power rather than endorsing Soviet-style communism.
“We want more regulation, more individual ground-level say in the economy and less of one CEO at the top”
The bottom line
Gen Z's interest in communism stems from economic frustration with capitalism, not ideological commitment to authoritarian regimes, and politicians' anti-communist rhetoric may be backfiring.
