The vast majority of Americans believe democracy, despite its problems, is the best system of government. But a nationwide poll from Florida Atlantic University shows that far fewer younger voters …

  • fltaOP
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    36 months ago

    The vast majority of Americans believe democracy, despite its problems, is the best system of government. But polling shows that far fewer younger voters agree.

    The nationwide poll conducted in mid-March by Florida Atlantic University found 73% of voters agree that “Democracy may have problems, but it is the best system of government,” including 50% who strongly agree. Just 13% disagree.

    But the youngest group of voters, those from 18 to 35, felt much differently.

    Slightly more than half — 53% — agreed it’s the best system of government. Just 15% strongly agree while a quarter — 25% — disagreed.

    People who said they plan to vote for former President Donald Trump, the presumed Republican nominee, in November were 22 percentage points less likely to agree that democracy is the best system of government than people who said they plan to vote for President Joe Biden.

    Among Biden voters, 85% agree democracy is the best form of government even though it may have problems, 6% disagree, and 10% don’t agree or disagree.

    Among Trump voters, 63% agree, 18% disagree, 19% don’t agree or disagree.

    First part was unexpected but second part was not. Other highlight from the article was that there was no major difference by gender with men in the survey polling higher than women about their support of democracy.

    • @SpaceNoodle
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      36 months ago

      American-style “democracy” isn’t working for the younger cohort, so why would they think it’s best?

      • btaf45
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        16 months ago

        Because dictators are many orders of magnitude worse.

        • @SpaceNoodle
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          16 months ago

          How are those the only two options?

  • Hildegarde
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    26 months ago

    Democracy is the best form of government, but the us isn’t a democracy.

  • @[email protected]
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    06 months ago

    This data needs to be compared year over year.

    So young people always start skeptical and change their minds as they get older? Or is this an increase compared to past generations?

    • btaf45
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      16 months ago

      Or is this an increase compared to past generations?

      Yes, because of Russian and Chinese anti-democracy propaganda on the internet.