📊 Public Opinion on Capitalism and Socialism

Let’s use real survey data to test claims about changing views of socialism and capitalism in the U.S. We'll conduct hypothesis tests for population proportions using a 1% level of significance.

🗳 Pew Research Center (2019)

Surveyed: 10,170 Americans

4,271 reported a positive view of socialism
5,594 reported a negative view of socialism
6,611 reported a positive view of capitalism
3,390 reported a negative view of capitalism

In 2011:

31% had a positive view of socialism
60% had a negative view of socialism
50% had a positive view of capitalism
40% had a negative view of capitalism

📈 Question 1: Has the proportion of Americans with a positive view of socialism increased since 2011?

Show Answer

H₀: p = 0.31
H₁: p > 0.31

Sample proportion: 4,271 / 10,170 ≈ 0.42

z = 23.98

p-value ≈ 0

Conclusion: Reject H₀. There is strong evidence that the proportion of Americans with a positive view of socialism has increased.

📈 Question 2: Has the proportion of Americans with a positive view of capitalism changed since 2011?

Show Answer

H₀: p = 0.50
H₁: p ≠ 0.50

Sample proportion: 6,611 / 10,170 ≈ 0.65

z ≈ 25.57

p-value ≈ 0

Conclusion: Reject H₀. There is strong evidence that the proportion of Americans with a positive view of capitalism has changed.

🧠 Deepen Your Thinking

Let’s consider newer data from a JustCapital/Harris poll (June 2020). Question: "Does capitalism produce the kind of society you want for the next generation?"

161 said "no form of capitalism can achieve this"
412 said "we need a more evolved form of capitalism"
Surveyed: 807 people

In 2019, 33% (3,390 / 10,170) reported a negative view of capitalism. Let’s test if that has changed under two different interpretations of “negative.”

📉 Question 3a: Count only the 161 who said "no form of capitalism" as negative. Has the negative view changed since 2019?

Show Answer

H₀: p = 0.33
H₁: p ≠ 0.33

Sample proportion: 161 / 807 ≈ 0.20

z ≈ -6.45

p-value < 0.01

Conclusion: Reject H₀. There's strong evidence that the proportion of Americans with a fully negative view of capitalism has decreased since 2019.

📉 Question 3b: Count both 161 + 412 = 573 as “negative.” Has the negative view changed since 2019?

Show Answer

H₀: p = 0.33
H₁: p ≠ 0.33

Sample proportion: 573 / 807 ≈ 0.71

z ≈ 22.49

p-value < 0.01

Conclusion: Reject H₀. There is strong evidence that dissatisfaction with capitalism has increased if we include those seeking reform.

💬 Wrap-Up Reflection

Click to Reflect

Statistical conclusions depend heavily on how we define categories and frame the question. Both framing and math matter. When discussing public opinion, are you looking for precise labels—or broader sentiments?