First, clarity: "socialism" isn't a monolith. In classic terms, it means collective ownership of production means, but in modern US discourse, it often refers to "democratic socialism" or "social democracy" — think expanded social safety nets, universal healthcare, free education, and wealth redistribution, like in Nordic countries. It's not full-on state control but a mixed economy tilting toward equity. Critics lump it with failed regimes like the USSR, while proponents point to successes in Europe. The US already has socialist elements: Social Security, Medicare, public schools, and highways are government-run for "collective good." So, is the US "on the road" to more of that? Let's look at the signs.
The Case For: Rising Support and Policy Shifts
There's momentum building, especially among younger folks and in urban areas. Polls show capitalism's shine is fading — Gallup reported positive views of capitalism dropped to 54% in 2025 from 61% in 2010, while socialism ticked up to 39%. Among under-35s, it's even starker: 39% view socialism favourably, tied to economic frustrations like inequality and stock market exclusion (38% of households have no equity exposure).
Electorally, socialists are winning. New York City's Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a self-described socialist, embodies this, focusing on housing, food security, and public goods without market reliance. Democrats are gearing up for 2026 midterms with socialist-leaning agendas, like Medicare for All pushes and labour candidates. DSA membership has exploded to over 60,000, with chapters everywhere, including red states like Iowa. Figures like Bernie Sanders and AOC have normalised ideas once deemed radical, shifting the Overton window leftward.
Policy-wise, the US is experimenting: Proposals for universal basic income trials, student debt forgiveness (expanded under Biden-Harris), and green infrastructure echo socialist priorities. Trump's second term has ironically fuelled this — his policies on tariffs and isolationism have alienated some, while economic woes (inflation, housing crises) make "collectivism" appealing. As one op-ed puts it, exhaustion from inequality is making socialism an "exit from a stalled national project." If midterms bring Leftist gains, we could see more: think expanded public healthcare or wealth taxes.
The Case Against: Backlash, Pragmatism, and Structural Barriers
But hold the red commo flags — it's not a straight path. Republicans are weaponising "socialism" as a scare tactic, framing Dems as extremists. In New York, GOP candidates blast Mamdani's policies to woo moderates, betting on anti-tax sentiment. A recent poll shows 45% of voters want "less socialism, more stability," with economic concerns trumping ideology. Even after explaining socialist policies, 55% see Mamdani's win as Democratic radicalisation, not a mandate.
Structurally, the US system resists: The Electoral College, Senate malapportionment, and big-money politics favour centrists. Centrist Dems and think tanks are pushing back against Leftist surges, funding "corporate-friendly" alternatives. Trump's 2024 win and GOP midterm strategies (like voter suppression claims) aim to block progressive waves. Plus, socialism often polls better in theory than practice — when tied to higher taxes or government overreach, support dips.
Historically, US "socialist moments" (like the New Deal or Great Society) were reforms within capitalism, not overhauls. As AEI argues, it's more a "fad" than revolution, souring when socialists govern. Reddit threads echo scepticism: America's size, detachment, and anti-revolutionary culture make full socialism unlikely. Even optimists like DSA organisers see 2026 as building blocks, not takeover.
Broader Context: Decline of Capitalism or Just Evolution?
Underlying this: US capitalism is straining. Wealth gaps widen, with the rich richer amid post-pandemic recovery. Trump's politics reflect decline — authoritarian patches on a fraying system. But socialism's rise could be adaptive: As Counterpunch notes, various socialisms are emerging globally as alternatives. Proponents argue it fixes capitalism's flaws, like income disparities. Critics warn it stifles innovation.
In 2026, with midterms looming and Trump's approval tanking (polls liken him to pests), pragmatism might rule: Incremental shifts toward social democracy, not revolution. The US might "flirt" with socialism but pull back, as in past eras.
Final Thoughts: Not a Slide, But a Tug-of-War
Is the US on the road to socialism? Not inexorably — it's more a crossroads, with generational shifts pulling Left while institutional inertia and cultural individualism push back. Evidence suggests growing appetite for socialist policies, but full transformation? Unlikely soon. As Victor Berger quipped a century ago, socialism comes "step-at-a-time." The real question: Can the US evolve its mixed economy to address inequalities without ideological extremes?
https://naomiwolf.substack.com/p/is-the-us-heading-into-socialism