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Due to the recent controversy around rep. @SpanbergerVA07's comments that Democrats should stop using the word 'Socialism' because it's gonna make them lose support in 2022, I was curious how true this would hold.
So I did a bit of diggin into data. Sources at bottom.
So I did a bit of diggin into data. Sources at bottom.
So just to clarify her entire stance, it seems to be that:
- Democrats should stop using phrases that are ambigious like 'Defund the police' when they dont mean it.
- Stop using the word Socialism or Socialist
She says these phrases/framings are losing them support.
- Democrats should stop using phrases that are ambigious like 'Defund the police' when they dont mean it.
- Stop using the word Socialism or Socialist
She says these phrases/framings are losing them support.
She then goes on to say, that what they should be pushing are the policies themselves and explain to the american people how the democratic policies are way better for them than the republican ones.
Full comments: https://twitter.com/notcapnamerica/status/1324554357933834240
Full comments: https://twitter.com/notcapnamerica/status/1324554357933834240
Now, how does national support for 'Defund the police' look? Well, actually the vast majority of Americans dont want to cut funding for police.
A poll was conducted right after the unjust killing of George Floyd by Police, which showed that 16% favor, 65% oppose.
A poll was conducted right after the unjust killing of George Floyd by Police, which showed that 16% favor, 65% oppose.
The highest demographic wanting to cut funding to police was black people, however even among them, a plurality opposed it. There 33% favored, 36% opposed it.
https://docs.cdn.yougov.com/s23agrrx47/20200531_yahoo_race_and_justice_crosstabs.pdf
https://docs.cdn.yougov.com/s23agrrx47/20200531_yahoo_race_and_justice_crosstabs.pdf
So how about Socialism? It's a tricky one to look into. Depending on where you look and who you ask, results may vary quite a bit. So to be charitable, I looked into an article by Data for Progress, a very progressive group.
They seem to come to similar conclusions, funnily enough. It seems that the further you move away from the term 'Socialism', while moving towards the actual policies advocated for, the better it gets.
The term 'Socialism' is only positive with 18% of americans.
The term 'Socialism' is only positive with 18% of americans.
However, when we move away from the term, asking questions such as 'some form of socialism' or the like it grows exponentially.
Even better?
Just the "socialist" policies!
They list 4 'socialist' policies proposed by Sanders, and they generally have support.
Even better?
Just the "socialist" policies!
They list 4 'socialist' policies proposed by Sanders, and they generally have support.
33% of americans support all 4.
More than half support 3 or more.
only 15% support 0 of the policies.
Now obviously, this is all based off of what americans consider to be 'socialism' or 'socialist'. But for candidates being elected, that's pretty important.
More than half support 3 or more.
only 15% support 0 of the policies.
Now obviously, this is all based off of what americans consider to be 'socialism' or 'socialist'. But for candidates being elected, that's pretty important.
More details and information here:
https://www.dataforprogress.org/blog/2020/6/10/how-americans-feel-about-socialism
Gallup recently did analysis on this, which showed that the attitudes haven't changed much past 5 years. https://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/287459/public-opinion-review-americans-word-socialism.aspx
https://www.dataforprogress.org/blog/2020/6/10/how-americans-feel-about-socialism
Gallup recently did analysis on this, which showed that the attitudes haven't changed much past 5 years. https://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/287459/public-opinion-review-americans-word-socialism.aspx
"As we would expect given this net-negative reaction to the term "socialism," a slight majority of Americans (51%) say they would not vote for an otherwise well-qualified person for president who is a socialist, while 47% say they would."
So it would seem, at least according to the overall data, that for people trying to get elected in the US, moving away from the terms, slogans and labels of 'socialism' and 'defund the police' and towards the policies, would be good, if you want the power to enact those changes.
