Cedarville Magazine, Spring 2020

The decline in support for capitalism among young people is alarming. A recent Gallup survey showed that support for socialism among millennials and generation Zers, those ages 18 to 39, has risen steadily and is now almost even with support for capitalism. Universities across the nation are to blame for much of this trend. The majority of our nation’s colleges and universities enthusiastically embrace secular progressive ideology and intend to indoctrinate the next generation with their values. Consider for example the model curriculum for the required class “Ethnic Studies” issued by the California Education Department, which defines capitalism as “‘a form of power and oppression,’ alongside ‘patriarchy,’ ‘racism,’ ‘white supremacy’ and ‘ableism.’ Capitalism and capitalists appear as villains several times …” 2 While the “Ethnic Studies” curriculum makes no sense, we can understand part of the argument against capitalism. We’ve read the headlines. Greed, pride, deception, theft, or deceit have been employed to obtain more profits while disrupting the lives of people. It has happened at a national level through the Great Recession, in a sector like the housing market and its bubble bursting or in individual businesses like Boeing’s rush to sell unsafe planes. Some would have you believe that Christians should recognize the inherent evil of business and capitalism. But the problem isn’t that business, capitalism, or free enterprise systems are evil in and of themselves. The problem lies within the hearts of sinful men and women who operate within those systems. Without embracing a biblical worldview and the grace of God, humanity’s sinful nature will find a way to abuse any system. The more our nation and businesses abandon moral values, the more corruption we will see in any system. This is precisely why here at Cedarville University we have a missional purpose to send business graduates into the workforce who can be salt and light. Operating with biblical principles, business provides one of the best means to glorify God and serve others well. Let’s look at just a few principles that come from a biblical worldview. Trend in Positive Views Toward Capitalism and Socialism, by Generation Capitalism (%Positive) Millennials/Gen Zers: Ages 18 to 39 in 2019 Gen Xers: Ages 40 to 54 in 2019 Baby boomers/Traditionalists: Ages 55 and older in 2019 GALLUP 2010 2012 2016 2018 2019 2010 2012 2016 2018 2019 2010 2012 2016 2018 2019 Millennials/Gen Zers 66 66 58 57 68 68 56 57 57 50 59 61 49 39 32 49 34 28 52 28 25 48 36 32 48 31 31 51 61 68 Gen Xers Baby boomers/Traditionalists Socialism (%Positive) 4 | Cedarville Magazine Chart courtesy of Gallup, Inc. 1