# Socialism surges in US popularity polls

> Forty-three percent of Americans now view socialism positively, the highest share since Gallup began tracking in 2010, driven by growing support among Democrats and young people.
- Title: Socialism surges in US popularity polls · TIME | Shortify
- Summary: Forty-three percent of Americans now view socialism positively, the highest share since Gallup began tracking in 2010, driven by growing support among…
- Keywords: socialism, gallup polls, democratic party, democratic socialists of america, zohran mamdani, bernie sanders, capitalism, primary elections, partisan divide, generational differences, surges, popularity
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/09/25/socialism-is-more-popular-than-ever-in-the-u-s-according-to-polls
- Author: Miranda Jeyaretnam
- Published: 2026-09-25T11:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: socialism, gallup polls, democratic party, democratic socialists of america, zohran mamdani, bernie sanders, capitalism, primary elections, partisan divide, generational differences
## Socialism hits record approval
Forty-three percent of Americans view socialism positively, the highest share since Gallup began tracking in twenty ten.
## Capitalism and free enterprise fade
Capitalism's approval fell to fifty-five percent from sixty-one percent in twenty ten. Free enterprise dropped to seventy-seven percent from eighty-nine percent in twenty twelve.
## Big business loses ground fastest
Big business approval fell to thirty-five percent from a peak of fifty-eight percent in twenty twelve, now ranking below socialism.
## Democrats drive the shift
Most gains came from Democrats. Sixty-five percent of Democrats now view socialism positively, up from fifty percent in twenty ten.
## Socialists win Democratic primaries
Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, won New York City Mayor last year. In June, all three of his endorsed candidates defeated establishment Democrats in congressional primaries.
## Progressive wins across the country
Democratic socialists and progressives won primaries for Senate and House seats in Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado, and Pennsylvania. One narrowly lost a Wisconsin gubernatorial race.
## Republicans see leftward shift
Republicans portrayed primary victories as proof the Democratic Party moved too far left. The House voted to denounce socialism twice in recent months.
## Democrats now prefer socialism
A CBS/YouGov poll found fifty-eight percent of Democrats view socialism positively versus thirty-two percent for capitalism. College-educated Democrats favored socialism at seventy-one percent.
## Independents warming to socialism
Socialism approval among independents rose to forty-five percent from thirty-seven percent. It now surpasses big business, which fell to thirty-two percent among this group.
## Republicans remain skeptical
Only fourteen percent of Republicans view socialism positively. Large majorities of Republicans favor small business, free enterprise, and capitalism.
## Young Americans embrace socialism
Fifty-seven percent of Americans aged eighteen to thirty-four view socialism positively, compared with forty-three percent for capitalism. Eighty percent say homeownership is harder for their generation.
## Older voters prefer capitalism
Sixty-five percent of Americans aged fifty-five and older view capitalism positively, while only thirty-four percent view socialism positively. Sixty-one percent of those under thirty call the economy unfair.
## Key takeaway

Socialism's approval among Americans has reached its highest level since twenty ten, with Democrats and younger voters driving the shift as progressive candidates win primary contests.