Poll Finds Americans Split on Capitalism and Low Confidence in Democracy

A poll released Wednesday by The Wall Street Journal and NORC Research Center found Americans divided on how well capitalism is functioning. " Respondents were also split on the proper balance between business and government. Forty-five percent agreed that respect for free markets drives American success and that government interference weakens it.

Fifty-two percent agreed that corporations hold too much power and that government should increase regulation and taxes to limit corporate influence.

Sixty-four percent of respondents said wealthy people hold more power in society today than they did 50 years ago. Eight percent said wealthy people hold less power. Seventy-six percent said billionaires have too much power and influence in Washington.

Seventy-eight percent said the same of political lobbyists, and 73 percent said the same of large businesses. Two to three percent said "people like you," small businesses, or working people have too much influence.

Fifty-six percent said American democracy is not working well or not working at all. Twelve percent said it is working very well or extremely well. Thirty-four percent said the phrase "committed to democracy and majority rule" describes America extremely or fairly well.

Six percent expressed a great deal of confidence in Congress, while 50 percent expressed hardly any confidence. " The poll results align with other recent surveys. A Gallup survey found capitalism's favorability at 54 percent in August 2025, down from 60 percent in 2021.

A Fox News poll found a record 38 percent of voters in early 2026 said moving toward socialism would be a good thing, up from 18 percent in 2010.