The telephone survey also revealed that 20% disagree and say socialism is better. Twenty seven percent couldn't take a stand if they were buried ankle-deep in concre--ERRR...were not sure which is better.
Here are some demographic details:
Adults under 30 are essentially evenly divided: 37% prefer capitalism, 33% socialism, and 30% are undecided. Thirty-somethings are a bit more supportive of the free-enterprise approach with 49% for capitalism and 26% for socialism. Adults over 40 strongly favor capitalism, and just 13% of those older Americans believe socialism is better.
Investors by a 5-to-1 margin choose capitalism. As for those who do not invest, 40% say capitalism is better while 25% prefer socialism.
There is a partisan gap as well. Republicans - by an 11-to-1 margin - favor capitalism. Democrats are much more closely divided: Just 39% say capitalism is better while 30% prefer socialism. As for those not affiliated with either major political party, 48% say capitalism is best, and 21% opt for socialism.
The question posed by Rasmussen Reports did not define either capitalism or socialism.
But here's the most interesting part:
It is interesting to compare the new results to an earlier survey in which 70% of Americans prefer a free-market economy. The fact that a “free-market economy” attracts substantially more support than “capitalism” may suggest some skepticism about whether capitalism in the United States today relies on free markets. (emphasis added)
See how a slightly different language choice can have a significantly different result? Although I disagree with their conclusion ("free-market economy" just sounds better than "capitalism," which has had decades of negative connotations heaped upon it), this is a clear example of what we always preach to our clients:
Language matters.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment