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Socialism has reached its highest level of public favorability in Gallup polling, with 43% of Americans now saying they have a positive view of the economic system.
The figure, released Wednesday, is the first time socialism has surpassed 39% in Gallup’s trend dating back to 2010. Socialism still trails capitalism and free enterprise, which 55% and 81% of Americans view positively, respectively, but it has now overtaken big business, which has a 35% favorability rating. Small business remains the most popular of the five economic concepts tested, at 95%.
Be informed, not misled.
What do you think about socialism?
Americans' Views of Common Economic Concepts:
Via Gallup:
Gallup has measured Americans’ overall views of these five economic concepts periodically since 2010, with the latest update conducted Aug. 3-24.
Over the longer term, Americans have become less positive about most of the market-oriented concepts Gallup tracks. Since 2010, positive views of big business have fallen by 14 percentage points, free enterprise by nine points, and capitalism by six points. Small business is the exception, with views of it unchanged. Meanwhile, positive impressions of socialism have risen by seven points.
Most of the increase in socialism’s positive rating through 2025 reflected increasingly positive views among Democrats, rising from 50% in 2010 to 66% last year. The latest uptick, however, comes entirely from political independents, whose positive rating jumped from 37% last year to 45% today. Democrats’ rating is essentially unchanged, at 65%, while Republicans’ remains below 15%.
Democrats’ views have shifted more substantially since 2010. Socialism surpassed capitalism among Democrats by 2016 and now ties free enterprise at 65%. This follows a sizable decline in Democrats’ positive rating of free enterprise since 2021.
Democrats’ positive rating of capitalism has also declined, from 42% last year to 35% today. Meanwhile, small business remains largely unaffected, with 93% of Democrats viewing it positively.
Gallup's bottom line.
"Americans' views of economic concepts have shifted noticeably over the past 15 years. Capitalism, free enterprise, and especially big business are viewed less positively than they once were, while socialism has gained ground. Those changes have been most pronounced among Democrats and younger adults, but this year's uptick in socialism's appeal reflects a novel shift among independents."
What does Jesus think about socialism?
Via Regent University.
Younger Americans have the most favorable view of socialism by any demographic group, and some young Christians mimic this. While people have always projected their views onto the Bible and Jesus to justify their actions, linking Christianity and socialism is an odd pairing from a historical perspective. Marx considered Christianity a tool of the oppressor/capitalist class, and he wanted to dispense with it as much as he did with capitalism. The idea of Christian Socialism would have been humorous or horrifying to him.
Historical Ignorance
People under the age of 35 have no memory of the Soviet Union. The Berlin Wall fell many years ago. They do not know the lengths people went to escape the Soviet Bloc and other Communist “paradises.” They have not read Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s books about the gulags or seen Soviet leader Kruschev pound his shoe and proclaim his intention to bury the West. That is ancient history, not well taught, and many think it has no lessons for us
Young people do not seem to know what socialism is. They think it is a nicer, more inclusive system than capitalism and see a quest for justice congruent with Jesus’ ministry and His concern for the poor, dispossessed, and downtrodden. It is true that Jesus was concerned about these people and acted on it, but there are some essential distinctions.
First, no passage commands or even suggests that ministering to the poor is a government function. It is for individuals and the churches. One could argue: If individuals and churches did better, we might not be having this debate. Government taking from some to give to others is not Biblical charity. It is not sacrificial; it is not personal; it is not based on the recipients’ true needs; it is not an expression of love; and it does not preserve the recipients’ dignity. It is much more like the Pharisees announcing their almsgiving with parades and trumpets.
Second, the foundation of the market system is enshrined in the commands God gave the Israelites in the Torah. There is not much to the market system, what Marx called capitalism. All that is needed is private property and voluntary exchange. If people can own stuff (land, buildings, animals, equipment, but also ideas and labor) and can exchange those things as they see fit, that is capitalism, and it naturally emerges. It does not have to be imposed, but it must be protected.
That is exactly what God did with the commands “Thou shall not steal” and “Thou shall not covet.” Both protect private property and make the distinction between mine and thine. Add prohibitions on murder, kidnapping, full access for all to the courts, along with a host of free-market concepts, and we get capitalism.
Most often, socialism has to be imposed. It is unnatural for societies relying on politics to convert man’s nature, while capitalism accepts man’s nature and uses it to serve others.
But What About the Early Church?
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Clearly, the Early Church, which was populated by many people who knew Jesus in the flesh, practiced socialism, right? There was collective ownership within the Church, as with a family. Most families are a little socialist: Resources are allocated based on need, regardless of who earned them; ownership of many things can be fluid (not all things, siblings are quick to establish whose toy or side of the room is whose); and chores are assigned by parental command not a labor market.
In very small communities, where true personal knowledge and love between members exist, a light form of socialism works. But as communities become larger, personal knowledge weakens ¾ or is non-existent ¾ and socialism cannot work. With the Early Church, notice there was no command that anyone, even another church, follow this example. Also, there was certainly no expectation that the larger society would use this model. After all, they were selling their possessions in the marketplace.
The shortcomings and flaws of modern implementations of capitalism are real. No system will live up to its potential if humans participate. The question is, how do we make it better? When the Church had lost its way, we had a Reformation not a replacement. The biblical example is clear: We should be charitable and not think too highly of our possessions. But in the marketplace, free-market exchange of private property, what we call capitalism, is the way to make the land flow with milk and honey.
Takeaway
Please read Matthew 25:14-30. That is the profile of capitalism.
A rich man goes on a long trip. Before leaving, he gives talents (a large amount of money) to three servants based on their skills: five to the first, two to the second, and one to the third. The first two servants trade and double the money. The third servant hides the money in the dirt. When the master returns, he praises and rewards the first two servants. He scolds the third servant for being lazy and fearful, takes his money away, and punishes him.
What does this mean?
Key Meanings
- Stewardship: People are caretakers of the time, money, and resources God gives them.
- Action over Fear: Believers should use what they have to do good rather than do nothing out of fear.
- Accountability: Everyone will have to explain to God how they used their gifts.
- Money vs. Skills: In the story, a "talent" is actually a heavy unit of silver or gold, worth many years of work.
Be Informed. Be Discerning. Be Vigilant. Be Mindful. Be Engaged. Be Prayerful.
