In a YouGov/ Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation poll conducted in early September this year 7 out of 10 millennials said they were somewhat likely or extremely lucky to vote for a socialist candidate in a U.S. election. The number of millennials who are now extremely like to vote for a socialist candidate doubled in the last year rising from 10% in 2018 to 20% in 2019. Also, millennials who have a favorable opinion for communism went from 28% last year to 36% this year.

The poll also found that half of all millennials (the generation born between 1981 and 1996) have an unfavorable view of capitalism, only to be outdone by the generation behind them, Generation Z (1997-2012) where 51% have an unfavorable view of this economic system. To illustrate this point, 20% of millennials believe that society would be better off if all private property was abolished and ownership was transferred to the government.

This rise in socialist belief coincides with the rise of far left wing socialist politicians like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Bernie Sanders (D-VT). As these two, and those like them such as AOC’s “Squad”, have rose in prominence, so has younger generations positive view of socialism.