Poll: Millennials desperately need to bone up on the history …

The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, citing survey results released on Monday, blames widespread ignorance for the relatively positive views millennials have toward socialism and communism.

Of the 2,300 Americans polled by YouGov, 80% of baby boomers and 91% of the elderly agree with the statement that communism was and still is a problem in the world today. Millennials? Only 55%.

Furthermore, almost half of Americans between the ages of 16 and 20 said they would vote for a socialist, while 21% would go so far as to back a communist.

Capitalism, on the other hand, is viewed favorably by 64% of those over the age of 65, compared with only 42% of millennials.

In fact, more than half of millennials say the economic system works against them, while four out of 10 call for a complete change to ensure that the highest earners pay their fair share.

Read: If socialism is incompatible with markets, how can Nordic stocks perform this well?

Theres a lack of historical perspective, according to the foundation, that the survey showed among a big chunk of the younger generation. For instance, a third of millennials say they believe more people were killed under George W. Bush than Joseph Stalin.

As far as familiarity with historical figures, this chart sums it up:

One of the concerns [the foundation] has had since its establishment is that an emerging generation of Americans has little understanding of the collectivist system and its dark history, said Marion Smith, executive director of the organization. Unfortunately, this report, which we intend to release on an annual basis, confirms this worrisome impression.

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Poll: Millennials desperately need to bone up on the history ...

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