An Account of Socialism in Gen-Z

A first hand account of socialist ideals arising in Gen-Z.

As a current college student in California, the favorability toward socialism in Gen-Z is clear. Many of our older generations are strongly capitalist and favor a smaller government with less involvement in our economy. The divide in policy opinion primarily exists between the baby boomers and millennials. Gen-Z takes the millennials shift and pushes it even further. Around 56% of Gen-Z identifies as independent, significantly more than our preceding generations.
The political independence that Gen-Z craves follows the same underlying reason that so many left leaning Gen-Z voters support socialist policies. Gen-Z is a generation full of loving people who value equality and fairness. Much of our generation is very aware of the issues that have persisted in America such as the wealth gap and the racial inequality that has been systematically built into the foundation of our country. Our generation rejects these and seeks solutions. Our generation also has a fear that exists for the future of our nation that makes them lean toward radical solutions. This desire to help the unfortunate within our country leads them to the idea that socialism could be our solution.
These values that Gen-Z holds are great values that will be beneficial to our country given the correct outlet and disciplined thinking. This leads to my second point which is my own fear about the younger generations. Gen-Z is particularly susceptible to manipulation and tends to believe things they hear without researching or arguing with anyone about their opinions. TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook, all the short form content that Gen-Z is the primary consumer of forms their opinions. With the nature of algorithmic media and the involvement of the government in media leaves Gen-Z highly susceptible. There is a strife I have observed between the young socialist leaning American and the older capitalist defending American who wishes to protect their wealth. Without property, wealth, or power, Gen-Z is much less concerned with the protection of wealthy elites or even upper-middle class who have accrued wealth over their lives.
This discord is exemplified by a taboo that exists in America specifically in our older generations that socialism is innately bad. Through the Red Scare and immense anti-communist propaganda in America, the word “socialist” has become an instant red flag to many. This is something people need to recognize and reflect upon. Socialism has never been just bad; and capitalism has never been just good. Each is a unique economic system that evolved through multiple opinions and reflections of governance and economies throughout history. There can always be a debate about what is ideal and it is becoming painfully clear in our current time that America has more flaws than many of us may have realized.
My personal hope is that Gen-Z will take time to think deeply, deny themselves the pleasure of instant gratification and embolden themselves against the political manipulation that will continue to grow in our country. I hope that they recognize the risks in socialism. While capitalism is greed, that same greed serves as a protective net for American ideals. The nature of capitalism is to have your own things that no one can take away. This serves as a natural ideological protection of individual freedoms. I want my own property and I want my own wealth, because I want my own wealth and property, I also want to ensure my rights to own land and my rights to pursue my passions are protected. My fear is that socialist policies will be turned against the American people. Where people may desire policies that help the common man and reduce the prejudice and separations in our society, those same policies may lead to the deprivation of our innate constitutional rights. Either way, it is all subject for debate. I encourage everyone to make active conversation and be concerned about the state of our nation.