Harvard poll: Millennials reject capitalism, media, Wall Street

In a stunning rejection of the American Way, millennial voters are abandoning capitalism, believing that the pro-business system has left too many people behind and sent the nation tumbling in the wrong direction, according to a massive new Harvard University poll.

Just 19 percent of voters age 18-29 described themselves as “capitalists,” and 42 percent support capitalism, according to the survey from Harvard’s Institute of Politics.

But they are not shifting to socialism, despite their backing of presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, according to the survey. They support socialism even less. Just 16 percent describe themselves as socialists, and 33 percent support socialism.

What’s more, the poll found that support for capitalism is unexpectedly low for all Americans under age 50. It is only at that age, does support rise to a majority, 52 percent.

“That epitomizes that nothing is working,” Harvard Institute of Politics Polling Director John Della Volpe told Secrets Monday. “It’s broken,” he added.

In the survey, younger voters expressed disapproval of virtually everything but the military. Just 15 percent said the nation is headed on the right track, only 23 percent trust the federal government “to do the right thing,” a number even worse for Wall Street, at 11 percent, and the media, at 9 percent.

“Young Americans are sending a strong message. They care deeply about the future, but are concerned that the current state of our institutions and our politics are not sufficient to meet our nation’s challenges,” said Della Volpe. “We hope that in the remaining months of the campaign, candidates from both parties work to rebuild the trust that’s been eroded and inspire Millennials to not only vote, but engage in civic life,” he added.

The Harvard poll is the most significant gauge of how millennials view the political and business world and is done regularly. A recent version, issued late last year, found that 48 percent of younger voters believe the American Dream is dead.

In the latest version released Monday, the 29th since 2000, younger voters also voiced strong support for Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton over Donald Trump, 61 percent to 25 percent. They also want a Democrat, not Republican, elected to the White House, 61 percent to 33 percent.

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]