Sign Of The Times

Survey revealing high levels of approval for the capitalist system.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

After surveying more than 2,500 Americans in 1980 and 1989, researchers at the University of Texas found a generally high level of approval of the capitalist system. For example, a majority of 77% in 1980 and 68% in 1989 agreed with the statement "Capitalism provides people with the highest living standard in the world." That's just about twice the percentage of people in a related study who knew what capitalism was; in fact, in that study more people than not gave a completely incorrect definition of capitalism. Chalk one up for American values -- but not for American schools.

-- Martha E. Mangelsdorf

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