How Socialism Gains Popularity

Authored by Sylvia Xu via The Epoch Times,

More than 80% agreed economic hardship can make socialist policies attractive even to people who oppose socialism.

Most Americans see communism in an unfavorable light, and a strong majority of Epoch readers say it’s incompatible with the United States’ founding principles. Yet socialism, an early stage of communism, continues to attract people by promising equal wages, low costs, and public benefits.

The goal sounds appealing, but the means have historically included higher taxes and extensive state control.

When asked about a movement in the United States to embrace socialism, Vice President JD Vance said in an Aug. 13 Fox News interview, “Our response to that can’t be to just ignore the economic concerns that I think are feeding this rising interest in socialism.”

American citizens deserve a good life in this country and a good government to make that happen, said Vance.

The Trump administration is rebuilding the industrial base and the heartland, making streets safer, and making it possible for young people to afford a home, Vance said.

“This is how you stop socialism.”

“You don’t stop socialism by throwing slogans at people about the free market—as much as I love the free market—you stop socialism by making people’s lives better, and that’s what we’re trying to do every single day,” Vance said.

Here is a look at Epoch readers’ attitudes towards socialist ideology and a government-controlled economy.

Socialism and Cost

The majority of survey respondents are against the socialist ideology of high taxes and income redistribution.

Ninety percent of readers opposed substantially higher taxes on high-income Americans to fund benefits for working- and middle-class families.

A whopping 97 percent opposed using the tax system not only to fund the government, but also to make incomes more equal, with 92 percent strongly against.

The same 97 percent agreed that the public ultimately absorbs the cost of free government benefits.

Additionally, more than 90 percent of readers would not consider voting for a democratic socialist candidate even if they supported the candidate’s economic policies.

Government Control

Around 96 percent of survey takers oppose greater government economic control in exchange for greater economic security.

Nearly all those polled (98 percent) were against government determining wages and prices rather than leaving them to the free market.

Ninety-three percent opposed allowing extensive government intervention in wages, prices, and social benefits, even if private ownership were preserved.

When it comes to life and affordability, readers’ attitudes softened toward government intervention.

Just over 80 percent of respondents opposed government limits on prices (85 percent), a higher mandated minimum wage (83 percent), and limits on rent increases (81 percent).

Public Benefits

Almost all of those surveyed (97 percent) opposed government providing more basic needs if it weakens individual initiative and productivity.

While 90 percent opposed fare-free public transportation, there was a modest drop to 80 percent who were against taxpayer-funded child care for needy families.

When asked about homeowners funding public schools through property taxes even if they do not use public schools, 67 percent of survey takers opposed, 16 percent were unsure, and 17 percent supported the idea.

How Socialism Gains Popularity

A majority of respondents (94 percent) agreed socialism can expand gradually by eroding private control of property while retaining the label of capitalism.

A similar majority of readers (93 percent) agreed that socialist policies can gain support when presented as benefits rather than as government control.

Eighty-seven percent agreed that people may reject socialism by name while accepting its policies one at a time.

Meanwhile, 82 percent agreed economic hardship can make socialist policies attractive even to people who oppose socialism.