Extremely interesting statistics.
This is a national survey of 1,000 US adults, a couple weeks ago, 95% confidence interval is +/- 3 percentage points.
Which is a better system – capitalism or socialism?
53% Capitalism
20% Socialism
27% Not sure
That is, pick 1,000 random americans off the street, ask them to choose between capitalism and socialism, and 200 will answer socialism; another 270 will be unsure.
Those 20% hold that belief in spite of a century of capitalist propaganda, in spite of nearly a century of Soviet propaganda that socialism means the USSR, in spite of the opinion being heresy in all respectable circles everywhere in the world, and in spite of no serious model of a desirable functioning socialist system in existence, or possibly even in theory.
Also, Bill Blum mentioned in his most recent anti-empire report (also including some discussion of his socialism) an interesting statistic, which has been around for a while.
“In 1987, nearly half of 1,004 Americans surveyed by the Hearst press believed Karl Marx’s aphorism: “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need” was to be found in the US Constitution.”
http://www.killinghope.org/bblum6/aer68.html
Socialists have no seriously worked out alternative, have no elite support, very few serious political parties with significant support, and a deafening chorus unanimous in its condemnation among all the great and the good of the world.
And yet, they have 20% of the population of the most fiercely capitalist nation on earth behind them. Never underestimate the resiliency of the heretical belief in social justice!
Imagine if they got their act together.