What's in a Word? What is your reaction to each word/phrase?
These are among the findings of a national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press that tests reactions to words and phrases frequently used in current political discourse. Overall, 29% say they have a positive reaction to the word “socialism,” while 59% react negatively. The public’s impressions of “capitalism,” though far more positive, are somewhat mixed. Slightly more than half (52%) react positively to the word “capitalism,” compared with 37% who say they have a negative reaction.
The survey, conducted April 21-26 among 1,546 adults, measured reactions to nine political words and phrases. The most positive reactions are to “family values” (89% positive) and “civil rights” (87%). About three-quarters see “states’ rights” (77%) and “civil liberties” (76%) positively, while 68% have a positive reaction to the word “progressive.”
Reactions to the word “libertarian” are evenly divided – 38% positive, 37% negative. On balance, Republicans view “libertarian” negatively, Democrats are divided, while independents have a positive impression of the term. “Militia” elicits the most negative reaction of the nine terms tested: Just 21% have a positive reaction compared with 65% who have a negative response.
What's in a Word?  | What is your reaction to each word/phrase?  | Negative  | Positive  | Militia  | 65  | 21  | Socialism  | 59  | 29  | Libertarian  | 37  | 38  | Capita lism  | 37  | 52  | Progressive  | 23  | 68  | States rights  | 77  | 15  | Civil liberties  | 76  | Civil rights  | 10  | 87  | Family values  | 89  | Pew Research Center April 21 26 