Poll: Capitalism Criticized, Socialism Unfavored as Zohran Mamdani Rises

The ongoing debate about capitalism and socialism is gaining attention as registered voters express increasingly critical views of capitalism. A recent NBC News poll reveals that less than 50% of registered voters now hold a positive opinion of capitalism, marking a significant shift in sentiment.

Poll Results on Capitalism and Socialism

The poll finds that only 44% of registered voters view capitalism positively. In contrast, 28% express a negative view. This represents a decline from previous polling results over the past seven years, where a majority typically held favorable views of capitalism.

• Republican Views: Two-thirds of Republicans support capitalism.
• Independent Views: 44% of independents favor capitalism.
• Democratic Views: Only 25% of Democrats have a positive outlook on capitalism.
• Pessimism Among Democrats: A striking 45% of Democrats now view capitalism negatively.

Demographic Shifts in Sentiment

This downturn is notably pronounced among younger voters. Voters under 35 have shown an increased negative sentiment towards capitalism in the last year. Similarly, Hispanic voters have also shifted, now nearly evenly divided on the economic system.

Stability of Socialism Perspectives

Conversely, views on socialism appear more stable. Currently, 49% of voters hold negative views of socialism, a slight decline from previous measurements. Only 18% deem socialism favorable, reflecting sustained sentiment since 2018.

• Democrats on Socialism: 35% of Democrats view socialism positively, while 20% hold it negatively.
• Hispanic Voters: They still maintain a predominantly negative view of socialism, though the negative margin has decreased slightly from previous polls.

The Rise of Zohran Mamdani

The evolving landscape of political opinion has been influenced by rising figures like Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist and New York mayoral candidate. Mamdani represents a new generation of leaders who are advocating for wealth redistribution and economic reform.

Mamdani stated, “There has to be a better distribution of wealth for all of God’s children in this country.” His opponents, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, have been vocal in their disapproval, branding him as a socialist and warning of disastrous economic consequences.

Voter Sentiment Towards Mamdani

Mamdani’s visibility in the political arena has made him a prominent figure, with 22% of registered voters expressing a positive view of him. However, 32% view him negatively. Among Democrats, he is regarded more favorably, with 44% seeing him positively.

The NBC News poll, conducted from October 24 to 28, surveyed 1,000 registered voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. This data underscores the shifting sentiments regarding capitalism and socialism in the United States, signaling a crucial moment for discussions about economic systems and political identity.