---
title: Socialism - America's Socialists | Part 3 of 3
description: A look at supporters of Democratic Socialists of America, and what they expect the DSA candidates and public officials to deliver | Links to research
image: https://whatsupamericans.com/hubfs/Hammer%20and%20Sickle-1.png
---

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 Aug 13, 2026, 8:12:46 PM

# Socialism - America's Socialists | Part 3 of 3

[Marek Bobik](https://whatsupamericans.com/blog/author/marek-bobik)

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## Who Supports DSA and What the DSA Supporters Want

> After the victories of many socialists in American primaries, I wanted to take a closer look at the appeal of socialist ideas to Americans. I want to understand who endorses DSA candidates and views socialism favorably, what supporters of socialism in America think the candidates will deliver. 

## Who Favors DSA Candidates/Socialism

Note: I used AI to find primary polling sources to see what information is available. If you find other credible primary sources, please let me know in comments. I will gladly update/supplement the article.

### Pew Research Center

Jan. 20 to Jan. 26, 2026; 8,512 panelists responded out of 9,302

Pew Research Center found in 2026 that among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, about one-third said they like political leaders who identify as democratic socialists. This is direct evidence that a meaningful share of the Democratic-aligned electorate not only tolerates such candidates but also views that political identity positively. About 56% say they neither like nor dislike political leaders who call themselves democratic socialists. Pew published the findings on their website on June 30, 2026.

The survey, conducted Jan. 20-26, finds that Americans overall tend to dislike more than like leaders who identify as democratic socialists (38% vs. 17%). A sizable share (43%) say they neither like nor dislike these leaders. 

To get a more granular view of democratic and left-leaning people's views of socialist leaders, take a look at the data below. White, younger, and college-degreed people are more likely to view democratic socialists positively. However, those whom socialist candidates claim to represent least are lower-income people (24%) and those with no college degree (26%).  

SOURCE: [pewresearch.org](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/06/30/about-a-third-of-us-democrats-like-political-leaders-who-identify-as-democratic-socialists/?utm_source=whatsupamericans_dot_com)

### The Economist/YouGov Poll

November 7-10, 2025; 1,663 U.S. Adult Citizens

- About a third of American citizens view socialism favorably, and 31% would consider voting for a socialist president. 
- There are no major differences between white, black, and Hispanic Americans as far as favorability of socialism, but black Americans stand out in willingness to vote for a socialist president - 40% said they would.
- 45% of the 18-29 age group has a favorable view of socialism, more than any other group, but only about a third would vote for a socialist in presidential elections.
- 38% of people making $100,000+ per year favor socialism, more than lower-income bracket groups.
- The biggest difference is between people's ideologies:
- 71% of liberals view socialism favorably, and 70% would vote for a socialist president.

#### Socialism Favorability

Question: Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of socialism?

![Doyouhaveafavorableoranunfavorableopinionofsocialism](https://whatsupamericans.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Doyouhaveafavorableoranunfavorableopinionofsocialism.png?width=1327&height=670&name=Doyouhaveafavorableoranunfavorableopinionofsocialism.png)

#### Socialists in Presidential Election

Question: Would you vote for a socialist president?

![Would you vote for socialist president](https://whatsupamericans.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Would%20you%20vote%20for%20socialist%20president.png?width=1331&height=513&name=Would%20you%20vote%20for%20socialist%20president.png)

SOURCE: [YouGov](https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/econTabReport_rGjwGgO.pdf)

### Jacobin Poll

A poll by [Jacobin](https://jacobin.com/2025/09/new-poll-democratic-socialism-mainstream) concluded that Democratic Socialism is now mainstream. 

### Data for Progress Poll

July 2-5, 2026; 577 U.S. Dems & Dem-Leaning

Question: Which one of these statements best describes your view, even if neither is exactly right?

![dems and left leaning independents views - data for progress](https://whatsupamericans.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/dems%20and%20left%20leaning%20independents%20views%20-%20data%20for%20progress.png?width=1025&height=813&name=dems%20and%20left%20leaning%20independents%20views%20-%20data%20for%20progress.png)SOURCE: [Data for Progress](https://www.dataforprogress.org/insights/2026/7/17/the-democratic-establishment-is-out-of-step-with-democratic-voters-on-dsa)

### Pew: Democratic support for democratic-socialist leaders is tied to age and ideology

Pew’s 2022 report also asked Democrats and Democratic leaners how they feel about political leaders who identify as democratic socialists. Overall, 33% said they like such leaders, 18% dislike them, and 47% neither like nor dislike them. Among liberal Democrats, 50% said they like democratic-socialist leaders; among conservative or moderate Democrats, 19% said the same. Pew also found younger Democrats were more favorable than older Democrats.

SOURCE: [Pewresearch.org](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2022/09/19/modest-declines-in-positive-views-of-socialism-and-capitalism-in-u-s/) 

> According to the sources above, it seems that the groups supporting the DSA candidates and most in favor of socialism include:
> 
> - Young People with Limited Life Experience
> - Democrats/Liberals
> - Highly Educated
> - Higher-Income Earners

 

## The Expectations of Supporters of Socialism

Policies that Americans with a favorable view of socialism expect from socialists seem to depend on how they define socialism. Some people think socialism is what Denmark does, but that is not its definition. We need a new term to describe free-market economies with high taxes and generous social programs, rather than confusing them with socialism.

Many nations in history bought into the promises of equality and a better life, only to end up suffering or dying under some form of a dictatorship. They thought they were voting for a Northern European-style government, but they ended up with something close to the Stalinist Soviet Union. The same thing can happen here.

Democratic Socialism is an oxymoron, because in practice, socialism can never be democratic.

### Data for Progress Poll

Data for Progress reported in 2026 that Democratic voters and Democratic-leaning independents broadly support allowing DSA in the Democratic Party. In the same analysis, Data for Progress says its polling on swing voters found especially strong responses to populist economic policies often championed by progressive and DSA candidates, including raising taxes on the wealthy, Medicare for All, and restrictions on certain uses of AI in pricing or wages.

### Pew: Americans With Positive Views of Socialism Often Define it in Social-Welfare or Equality Terms

Pew’s 2019 report, “[In Their Own Words: Behind Americans’ Views of Socialism and Capitalism](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/10/07/in-their-own-words-behind-americans-views-of-socialism-and-capitalism/),” asked respondents to explain their views in their own words. Among Americans with a positive view of socialism, Pew found the most common explanation was that socialism means equality, followed by references to government benefits, public services, and social safety-net programs. Pew reported that 31% of those with positive views of socialism cited equality, 20% cited government-provided benefits or services, and 10% cited a safety net or helping people in need.

Socialism supporters do not primarily define socialism as state ownership of industry; in Pew’s open-ended responses, they commonly associated it with equality, public benefits, and help for people in need. 

The sloppy definitions of terms in public debate mean that when we disagree about socialism, we are not talking about the same things. Pew: "Critics of socialism point to Venezuela as an example of a country where it has failed. People with positive views of socialism cite countries such as Finland and Denmark as examples where it has succeeded."

But the Northern European countries are not socialist; they are homogeneous free-market economies with generous social programs supported by high taxes and, let's be honest, by U.S. taxpayers.  European countries' insufficient investment in defense frees funds for generous social programs, but it burdens U.S. taxpayers, who fund Europe's defense. The same applies to many medications developed in the U.S. U.S. taxpayers pay for the drug RND by paying higher prices than Europeans and the rest of the world. So, at least in part, the "socialist" European countries get to be "socialist" thanks to American taxpayers.

I think it is also worth noting that even back in 2019, the language around what is fair changed on the left from "equality" to "equity" and "equitable outcome." So, in essence, the conversation changed from equal opportunity as a goal to equal outcome. An equal outcome is a part of the communist panacea/propaganda. (From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.) Note that in the graphic below, the proponents of socialism refer to a more equitable society.

### ![pew-2019-04to05-socialism-attitudes](https://whatsupamericans.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/pew-2019-04to05-socialism-attitudes.png?width=892&height=647&name=pew-2019-04to05-socialism-attitudes.png)

SOURCE: [Pewresearch.org](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/10/07/in-their-own-words-behind-americans-views-of-socialism-and-capitalism/)

### Pew: Democrats who view socialism positively think it means meeting basic needs

Aug. 1-14, 2000; 7,647 adults

Pew’s 2022 report, “Modest Declines in Positive Views of ‘Socialism’ and ‘Capitalism’ in U.S.,” asked respondents whether certain phrases describe socialism. Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents with a positive impression of socialism, 71% said the phrase “makes sure everyone’s basic needs, such as food, health care, and housing, are met” describes socialism extremely or very well.

SOURCE: [Pewresearch.org](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2022/09/19/modest-declines-in-positive-views-of-socialism-and-capitalism-in-u-s/)

### Pew: Democratic socialism supporters associate socialism with equal opportunity

In the same 2022 Pew report, among Democrats with a positive impression of socialism, 48% said socialism is described extremely or very well by the phrase “gives all people an equal opportunity to be successful.” By comparison, only 14% of Democrats with a negative impression of socialism said that phrase describes socialism at least very well.

SOURCE: [Pewresearch.org](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2022/09/19/modest-declines-in-positive-views-of-socialism-and-capitalism-in-u-s/)

### Gallup: Americans’ definitions of socialism have shifted toward equality and services, not only government ownership of the means of production

September 4-12, 2018

Gallup’s analysis, “The Meaning of ‘Socialism’ to Americans Today,” reported that Americans define socialism in varied ways. Gallup found that Republicans were more likely to define socialism by its classic definition, as government control or ownership, while Democrats were more likely to associate it with government provision of services and benefits. ([news.gallup.com](https://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/243362/meaning-socialism-americans-today.aspx))

Gallup’s 2019 report, “Four in 10 Americans Embrace Some Form of Socialism,” similarly summarized Gallup trend data showing that Americans’ definitions had shifted.

When asked to explain their understanding of the term "socialism," 17% of Americans define it as government ownership of the means of production, half the number who defined it this way in 1949 when Gallup first asked about Americans' views of the term. Americans today are most likely to define socialism as connoting equality for everyone, while others understand the term as meaning the provision of benefits and social services, a modified form of communism, or a conception of socialism as people being social and getting along with one another. About a quarter of Americans were unable to answer.

SOURCE: [gallup.com](https://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/243362/meaning-socialism-americans-today.aspx)

### The Expectations of Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents from Socialism & Socialist Public Officials

The best answer I can come up with for what socialism supporters appear to want from socialist candidates or officials, based on the primary polling above, is:

- Basic needs met - education, health care, housing, food...      
  Pew found 71% of Democrats with positive views of socialism say this describes socialism extremely/very well.  
  ([pewresearch.org](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2022/09/19/modest-declines-in-positive-views-of-socialism-and-capitalism-in-u-s/))
- Greater equality      
  Pew’s 2019 open-ended responses found equality was the most common positive association with socialism.  
  ([pewresearch.org](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/10/07/in-their-own-words-behind-americans-views-of-socialism-and-capitalism/))
- Government-provided benefits and services      
  Pew (2019) and Gallup both found that positive views of socialism often connect to public benefits/services.  
  ([pewresearch.org](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/10/07/in-their-own-words-behind-americans-views-of-socialism-and-capitalism/), [gallup.com](https://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/243362/meaning-socialism-americans-today.aspx))
- A stronger safety net/help for people in need      
  Pew 2019 found that positive responses to socialism often cited the safety net or helping people in need.   
  ([pewresearch.org](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/10/07/in-their-own-words-behind-americans-views-of-socialism-and-capitalism/))
- Equal opportunity to succeed      
  Pew 2022 found 48% of Democrats with positive views of socialism say socialism gives all people equal opportunity extremely/very well.   
  ([pewresearch.org](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2022/09/19/modest-declines-in-positive-views-of-socialism-and-capitalism-in-u-s/))
- Democratic-socialist representation, especially among liberal and younger Democrats      
  Pew found 50% of liberal Democrats and 37% of Democrats under 50 like democratic-socialist leaders.  
  ([pewresearch.org](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/09/PP_2022.09.19_socialism-capitalism_REPORT.pdf))

## Common Understanding of Socialism Matters

The problem with multiple definitions of socialism is that it lets socialists whose goal is to gain power and bring about dictatorship gain acceptance, become favored, and get elected to important public offices.

The only defense is for all of us to become aware of what the movement is and where it is leading, and learn how to conduct independent research while it is still possible. Then we can judge the candidates on their records and their past public statements instead of their flowery utopian slogans. 

[socialism](https://whatsupamericans.com/blog/tag/socialism)

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