The American Pew Research Centre for the People and the Press published a survey on May 4 that tested reactions to words and phrases frequently used in current political discourse. It was conducted between April 21 and 26 among 1,546 adults. This is a summary.
“Socialism” is a negative for most Americans, but certainly not all Americans. “Capitalism” is regarded positively by a majority of the public, though it is a thin majority. There are certain segments of the public – notably, young people and Democrats – where both “isms” are rated about equally. And while most Americans have a negative reaction to the word “militia,” the term is viewed more positively by Republican men than most other groups.
These are among the findings of a national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press that tests reactions to words and phrases frequently used in current political discourse. Overall, 29% say they have a positive reaction to the word “socialism,” while 59% react negatively. The public’s impressions of “capitalism,” though far more positive, are somewhat mixed. Slightly more than half (52%) react positively to the word “capitalism,” compared with 37% who say they have a negative reaction.
A large majority of Republicans (77%) react negatively to “socialism,” while 62% have a positive reaction to “capitalism.” Democrats’ impressions are more divided. In fact, about as many Democrats react positively to “socialism” (44%) as to “capitalism” (47%).
Reaction to “capitalism” is lukewarm among many demographic groups. Fewer than half of young people, women, people with lower incomes and those with less education react positively to “capitalism.”
The most positive reactions are to “family values” (89% positive) and “civil rights” (87%). About three-quarters see “states’ rights” (77%) and “civil liberties” (76%) positively, while 68% have a positive reaction to the word “progressive.”
Reactions to the word “libertarian” are evenly divided – 38% positive, 37% negative. On balance, Republicans view “libertarian” negatively. Democrats are divided, while independents have a positive impression of the term. “Militia” elicits the most negative reaction of the nine terms tested; just 21% have a positive reaction compared with 65% who have a negative response.
Is it clear from the survey that respondents, or some of them, make a distinction between libertarian and liberal?
It is not clear but let us assume it.
Republicans should like the word libertarian. Most of them probably don’t know what it means.
You are right. Most of them think it’s Fabian trash.
Far more revealing is the different perceptions of the word “liberal”, and “community organizer” between self identified Republicans and Democrats, in the US over time, and between the US and other developed nations.
I hope you will explain the difference to me over lunch soon.
Here in the U.S., “libertarian” means freedom from government. “Liberal” means freedom with government.
Surely, libertarian is not the same as anarchist. Libertarians accept SOME government; anarchists none.