Gallup Poll Reveals Sharp Decline in American Favorability Toward Capitalism

Americans' views on capitalism and socialism have experienced notable shifts, as indicated by a recent Gallup poll. The survey reveals that support for capitalism has decreased to 54%, marking the lowest level recorded by Gallup since it began tracking this sentiment in 2010. This figure represents a decline from the 60% favorability seen in 2021. Meanwhile, opinions on socialism remain comparatively stable, with 39% of Americans viewing it positively in 2025, up slightly from 38% in 2021.

The poll, conducted between August 1 and August 20 among 1,094 U.S. adults, highlights significant partisan and demographic differences. Among Democrats, a notable divergence is evident as 66% express favorable views toward socialism compared to just 42% for capitalism. In contrast, 74% of Republicans maintain a positive image of capitalism, while only 14% view socialism favorably. Among independents, 51% have a favorable view of capitalism, revealing a decline from previous years.

This gradual shift indicates increasing polarization in economic ideology, with younger generations, particularly Democrats under 50, showing less support for capitalism. Only 31% of younger Democrats hold favorable views toward capitalism, down from 54% in 2010, illustrating a trend of diminishing trust among younger cohorts.

Furthermore, perceptions of big business have become notably less favorable over recent years. Currently, only 37% of Americans hold a positive view of big business, a steep drop from 52% in 2019. This decline is offset by the continued strong support for small businesses and free enterprise, which are viewed positively by 95% and 81% of Americans, respectively.

Within political affiliations, 60% of Republicans favorably view big business, whereas only 36% of independents and 17% of Democrats do, indicating a significant partisan split. The decline in favorable perceptions of capitalism and big business is partially attributed to the rise of prominent progressive figures advocating for democratic socialism, such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Their influence has brought attention to perceived economic inequities and fueled debate about the role of socialism in modern American politics.

As the ideological landscape shifts, Democratic politicians face challenges in balancing the appeal to their base, which increasingly embraces socialism, with efforts to maintain broader electoral support. These developments underscore a growing divide within the United States regarding economic ideals and the future trajectory of its political discourse.