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Socialism is having a moment in the United States ... again.
Recent election wins by candidates who identify as Democratic Socialists have generated interest in what supporters believe is a new and better way of governing. The movement has gained momentum among younger voters in particular.
A recent Axios-Generation Lab poll found that 68% of Americans under 35--regardless of their level of education--"view socialism positively or neutrally, while only 47% have positive or neutral views of capitalism."
Those who view socialism positively are not monolithic. There is the purist view, as defined by Karl Marx, where there is public or government ownership of major industries, resources and services, and wealth is shared to reduce the gaps between the rich and the poor.
Today's movement is broad enough to include individuals who may not be reading Marx, but they are disenchanted with the state of things. Generation Lab CEO Cyrus Beschloss said they believe that the current capitalist system has let them down.
"They may be thinking it's (socialism) a radical way to shake things up, shake up the status quo--a way to give things to the working class, an anti-establishment thing more than the clear workings of socialism,” he said.
In that respect, some of today's socialist supporters share something with the MAGA movement. Donald Trump's rise was rooted in a dissatisfaction with the status quo and a desire to "drain the swamp" and be the voice of the people who felt disconnected.
Voters who view socialism or democratic socialism positively are concerned about some of the same kitchen table issues as Trump supporters--the high cost of energy, housing and healthcare. A CBS News/YouGov poll found that 60% of those questioned believe that the "way the U.S. economic system works for getting ahead is unfair."
And of those 60% of adults who believe the current economic system is unfair, 45% have a positive view of socialism, while only 29% have a negative view. (Twenty-six percent were undecided).
Socialism has had its moments in America's political history.
The most successful socialist politician in this country to date was Eugene Debs. He was a union organizer and a former Democratic politician from Indiana who ran for president on the Socialist Party ticket five times between 1900 and 1920. His best effort was the 1912 election, when he won about 6% of the vote.
His campaign platforms over the years included radical ideas such as public ownership of major industries and resources, which did not attract broad support then, nor would it now. However, he also favored government action to reduce the cost of living, higher taxes on the wealthy, and greater worker rights--some of the same positions that are attracting support among voters today.
I remain convinced that capitalism is still the most efficient method of distributing scarce resources while rewarding hard work and innovation. However, it is evident that a growing number of Americans, particularly young people, do not share that belief. They may not be Marxists, but they are increasingly engaged in a movement they believe will bring about change.