CBS News/YouGov poll finds Democrats more favorable toward socialism than capitalism

A new CBS News and YouGov survey finds that Democrats are more likely to hold favorable views of socialism than unfavorable ones, underscoring the degree to which partisan views diverge on major economic labels.

According to the survey results reported by The Hill on August 17, 2026, 58 percent of Democratic respondents described socialism as “very positive” or “somewhat positive,” while 18 percent said socialism was “somewhat negative” or “very negative.” The figures were reported as part of the poll’s breakdown of public attitudes toward socialism and capitalism.

The poll results were presented in a political context in which socialism and capitalism continue to be used by lawmakers and activists as shorthand for broader disputes over the scope of government in the economy, including questions about taxes, spending, and regulation. The survey’s approach reflects that political debates often hinge not only on specific proposals but also on how voters characterize economic systems.

The same report frames the results against views of capitalism, stating that Democrats show comparatively different levels of favorability toward socialism and capitalism. However, the specific percentages for capitalism were not included in the provided summary, and the survey’s full topline comparisons should be reviewed for voters who want the capitalism figures.

The survey also illustrates how public support for government-backed economic policies can be influenced by whether respondents associate socialism with widely differing policy packages. In practice, the way voters interpret “socialism” can range from support for particular programs to broader agreement with a restructured economic role for the state.

With the results released during an election-adjacent period, the poll may offer parties and candidates a snapshot of the terms that resonate with Democratic voters, as well as how those terms might be received by other parts of the electorate. Any political relevance would depend on how the full poll compares views across independents and other party groups, and whether the same respondents connect those labels to specific policy options.