LYNN BERGMAN: SUPPORT FOR CAPITALISM IN US, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, AND UK
The Fraser Institute, on February 22, 2023 (George Washington’s birthday) published Perspectives on Capitalism and Socialism: Polling Results from Canada, the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom by Jason Clemens and Steven Globerman.
This fall 2022 survey and subsequent report include three sets of questions. The first section examines perceptions of and support for capitalism, socialism, Communism, and Fascism.
Section 1:
Support for each of four ideologies as the Ideal Economic System (expressed in percent of respondent agreement) Largest percent support for each ideology is bolded.
All Ages 18-24 Ages 25-34 Ages 35-54 Ages 55+
United States
Capitalism 58 50 53 56 66
Socialism 31 45 42 32 19
Communism 11 16 23 11 2
Fascism 8 12 17 9 1
Percent Confused 7.4 18.7 25.9 7.4 0
Canada
Capitalism 52 41 38 51 60
Socialism 42 50 44 43 38
Communism 6 17 11 6 2
Fascism 4 10 6 5 0
Percent Confused 3.8 15.3 0 4.8 0
Australia
Capitalism 47 45 39 47 52
Socialism 40 53 48 41 30
Communism 12 19 20 14 (tie) 4
Fascism 7 11 14 8 2
Percent Confused 5.7 21.9 17.4 9.1 0
United Kingdom
Capitalism 45 47 44 42 46
Socialism 43 52 54 42 36
Communism 14 24 32 14 (tie) 3
Fascism 9 16 21 11 1
Percent Confused 9.9 28.1 33.8 8.3 0
Section 2:
The second section identifies how respondents define socialism.
Option A: The government taking control of businesses and industries so that the state, rather than individuals, controls the economy.
Option B: The government providing more services to people.
Option C: The government provides a minimum level of guaranteed income to its citizens.
Results
Option A results: Under 47% for all countries and age groups.
Option B results: Over 50% for all countries and age groups.
Option C results: Over 50% for all countries and age groups except 35% for US 55+
Preferred is Option B, followed by Option C and least preferred is Option A.
Most define socialism as more government services to people; many define socialism as guaranteed income; and less than a majority define socialism as government control of business & industry.
Section 3:
The third and final section assesses respondents’ preferences for different tax increases to pay for socialism.
Option A: New Wealth Tax on the Top 1%
Option B: Substantially Higher Personal Income Tax on the Top 10% of High-Income Citizens
Option C: Higher Personal Income Taxes on all Citizens, except low-income workers
Option D: 20% National Sales (Value Added Tax) except low-income workers
Results:
Option A: Support exceeded 64% for all counties and age groups
Option B: Support exceeded 52% for all countries and age groups
Option C: Support exceeded 26% for all countries and age groups
Option D: Support ranged above one-eighth but below one-third for all countries and groups
Most (almost two thirds in all countries and age groups) support a new wealth tax; A majority (over half in all countries and age groups) support substantially higher personal income tax on the top one-tenth of Incomes; just over one fourth in all countries and age groups support higher personal income taxes on all citizens; and only one-eighth to one-third support a national sales tax.
Appendix 1: Results by gender
Support for Capitalism Male Female
United States 70% 47%
Canada 63% 41%
Australia 59% 35%
United Kingdom 55% 34%
Appendix 2: Results by income
Support for Capitalism generally Increases with Income
Appendix 3: Results by Education Level
Support for Capitalism generally Increases with Education Level
Commentary by Lynn Bergman:
The most unexpected and startling result to me is one of the last revelations, the support for Capitalism by gender. An average of 62% of males and 39% of females supports Capitalism. Roughly 3 of 5 men and 2 of five women. If you wish to understand the differences between men and women that cause this ideological divide, please read Steven Pinker’s “The Blank Slate;” particularly Chapter 18, Gender. A complicated issue like this requires, at a minimum, the reading of the 35 pages. As stated on page 341 of the book, “… neuroscience, genetics, psychology, and ethnography are documenting sex differences that almost certainly originate in human biology. And, as stated on page 342 of the book, “To begin with, research on the biological basis of sex differences has been led by women.”
The next most unexpected result to me is that, in the US and UK, the most confused age group concerning political ideology was Ages 25-34, not Ages 18-24. I can only guess that Ages 25-34 are the “beginning of parenting and work” years that literally consume their thoughts and memories from “learning years”. I pray it is not because they never were taught concerning political ideologies.
Lastly, if you are wondering why support for Capitalism is waning in these four modern countries, look no further than Argentina and Venezuela, where “democratic socialists” and their “communists within” have been elected promising “Heaven on Earth” to destroy we “Eternalists” who understand that all gifts, including the gift of birth, are from Almighty God.
Love = Work + Courage
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