WASHINGTON (Realist English). Americans remain more favorable toward capitalism than socialism, but positive views of capitalism have slipped to their lowest level in 15 years, according to a new Gallup survey.
Fifty-four percent of U.S. adults view capitalism positively, down from 60 percent in 2021 and below levels seen in most prior years. By contrast, 39 percent hold favorable views of socialism, while 57 percent view it negatively — a pattern that has shown little change over time.
Gallup has tracked attitudes toward economic systems since 2010, with its latest poll conducted August 1–20. The decline in support for capitalism this year was driven by Democrats and independents, each registering eight-point drops since 2021. For the first time, fewer than half of Democrats (42 percent) say they view capitalism positively. A slim majority of independents (51 percent) remain favorable, while Republicans’ views are steady, with roughly three-quarters supportive.
Democrats are now the only partisan group that favors socialism over capitalism — 66 percent versus 42 percent. Independents lean modestly pro-capitalist (51 percent vs. 38 percent), while Republicans strongly prefer capitalism (74 percent vs. 14 percent).
Meanwhile, perceptions of big business continue to deteriorate. Just 37 percent of Americans view it positively, down from 52 percent in 2019 and a high of 58 percent in 2012. By contrast, small business enjoys overwhelming approval (95 percent), and free enterprise is viewed positively by 81 percent.
Ratings of big business have fallen across party lines. Only 17 percent of Democrats and 36 percent of independents view it positively, both new lows. Republican support, at 60 percent, is down sharply from 78 percent in 2019.
Gallup noted that Americans’ broader economic views remain tied to specific institutions. While skepticism of socialism persists overall, Democrats have grown steadily more supportive of it since 2010, encouraged by prominent figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“Americans continue to embrace small business and free enterprise,” Gallup reported, “but are less positive toward capitalism as a whole — and increasingly critical of big business.”
