Socialism in America: Shifts in Public Consciousness

Abstract

In the American political life of the last two decades and three election campaigns – 2016, 2018 and 2020 the ideology of socialism, as an alternative to the existing liberal democracy and capitalism in the country's economic system, has played a significant role. The article examines the origins of socialism in the United States, the reasons for its rise in the early XX century and its retreat under the influence of the "Red Scare" campaigns later. The article analyzes the reasons for the rise in popularity of socialism in the last two decades, primarily among young people, and examines the attitude of the population, various strata and groups to the main programs of reforming the country on socialist principles. The article examines the impact of the discussed social reforms in the programs of politicians in the 2020 campaign on the outcome of elections and possible changes in American political life under the influence of new generations of socialist-oriented politicians.