The Gallup Podcast

Socialism is enjoying a renaissance in U.S. political discourse -- even though candidates who espouse a socialist policy perspective have had mixed results in primary elections and while Americans, as a whole, remain negative about socialism. Gallup recently updated a 1949 question asking how Americans define socialism. In this episode, two very different experts offer their opinions on the matter. David Boaz, executive vice president of the libertarian Cato Institute, and Dr. Susan Kang, a leader of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, weigh in on what socialism means and what its future in U.S. politics might look like.

In this update of current public opinion trends, Dr. Frank Newport reviews and highlights what’s important to know about American public opinion right now. How does the latest approval rating of President Donald Trump compare with those of previous presidents -- and do Americans view Trump more positively than Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election that put Trump in the White House? For the past several decades, Gallup has measured thousands of favorable ratings for public figures. Who has the highest -- and the lowest -- favorable ratings in Gallup’s history?

Just how big is the “gig” economy, in which employees have temporary or short-term assignments rather than working full time with one company? Are gig workers doing the kind of work they want? Who benefits the most in gig-work arrangements -- the employers or the employees? Will it become a more dominant part of the U.S. economy in the future? Shane McFeely, analyst and researcher on Gallup’s global practice team, explains the findings from the latest report, The Gig Economy and Alternative Work Arrangements. Later, what are Americans’ views of the pharmaceutical industry?

How much of the world experienced enjoyment yesterday? Did people smile, laugh or feel well-rested? Or did people feel angry, stressed or sad? Gallup World Poll Researcher and Analyst Julie Ray breaks down Gallup’s 2018 Global Emotions Report, which answers exactly these questions. Plus, in which countries around the world are people happiest -- and in which are they the least happy? The answers may surprise you. Later, what percentage of Americans believe President Donald Trump illegally colluded with Russians in his 2016 presidential campaign?

President Donald Trump often refers to polls, but just how accurate are his tweets about them? What will have a larger effect on midterm election outcomes -- presidential approval or economic confidence? How many Democrats react positively when they hear the word “socialism”? Frank Newport and Gallup Senior Editor Lydia Saad discusses the trends on these issues and more. Gallup has polled on Americans’ views of the late Sen. John McCain for decades -- Gallup analyst Andrew Dugan breaks down the trend in McCain’s favorability. Later, what percentage of Americans approve of labor unions?

What effect will Donald Trump’s ongoing legal woes have on his approval rating? And how has he maintained such a stable base of support among his party? What are the long-term repercussions of political division in the U.S., and how will the major political parties evolve in this climate? Ronald Brownstein, a senior political analyst for CNN and Atlantic Media who has covered presidents dating back to Ronald Reagan, offers his take on these questions and more. He even suggests what he believes would be a viable Democratic ticket to challenge Trump in 2020. Later, how do Americans rate the U.S. healthcare system compared with those of other modernized nations?

In a recent Gallup Poll, Americans told us what they try to include, and avoid, in their diet. How on target is their understanding of nutrition, and how much does their awareness of healthy eating actually translate into their eating behaviors? Plus, what percentage of Americans are vegetarian and vegan -- and just how healthy are these choices? Caroline West Passerrello, registered dietician and nutritionist, and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, joins the podcast to discuss Gallup’s trends. Later, what percentage of Americans are satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S.?

Much has been speculated about the relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but what do the citizens of each country think about the two men? Which president has a higher approval rating in his own country? Are there any similarities between the views of Americans and Russians? In this episode, Neli Esipova, Gallup’s Regional Director for former Soviet states and Eastern Europe, explains the findings. Later, what percentage of Americans have a positive view of socialism?

How do Americans really feel about the challenges and policy decisions surrounding one of the most controversial topics of our time -- immigration? Is immigration good or bad for the U.S.? Why do some Americans so strongly support the idea of building a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border? How do Americans defend their positions on the issue of sending children brought to the U.S. illegally back to their home countries? What’s behind the strongly emotional support for, and opposition to, Trump’s policies on immigration? In this episode, we hear Americans’ views in their own words. Later, what percentage of Americans are vegetarian and vegan?

Is having one or two drinks a day good for you? And if so, what is the optimal amount one should drink? Dr. Eric Rimm, professor of epidemiology and nutrition and director of the program in cardiovascular epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, joins the podcast to discuss the trend in Americans’ views on moderate drinking and how these views square with scientific facts. Later, what percentage of Americans approve of the job the U.S. Supreme Court is doing?