Restoring Trust in Capitalism by Letting More People Share in It
I have personally benefited from capitalism. It has provided opportunities, rewarded hard work, and fostered innovation. But I also know that for many young Americans, the system feels like it no longer works for them.
And they aren’t wrong to feel that way. A 2022 Pew Research Center study found that only 40% of adults aged 18 to 29 have a positive view of capitalism—the lowest of any age group. Meanwhile, 44% of young adults view socialism favorably, reflecting a growing openness to alternatives. Among older generations, 73% of those 65 and older still support capitalism, highlighting a sharp generational divide.
This is a serious problem—not just for economic growth, but for capitalism itself. An economic system only survives when people believe they have a fair shot within it. Young Americans see skyrocketing housing prices, stagnant wages, and student debt that takes decades to pay off. Many of them look at capitalism and don’t see opportunity—they see barriers.
But the answer isn’t to abandon capitalism. The answer is to let more people share in it.
When I ran a company, I found that the more I shared in the rewards, the more my employees wanted to participate. When people have skin in the game—when they see a direct connection between their work and their compensation—they don’t just tolerate capitalism, they embrace it. That same principle needs to be applied across our economy. The more people feel like they have a stake in the system, the more they will want to invest in its success.
Making Homeownership Possible Again
Owning a home has always been one of the clearest ways to build wealth. But for many young Americans, it’s out of reach. We need to increase housing supply through responsible zoning reform, making it easier to build affordable homes. Public-private partnerships should expand first-time buyer assistance programs, helping more people buy homes instead of renting forever. Rent-to-own models can also create a bridge to homeownership, allowing people to build equity while they rent. The more people who own homes, the more they feel invested in the economy.
Tying Wages to Success
People don’t want handouts—they want fair rewards for their work. Indexing the minimum wage to inflation is a straightforward way to ensure wages keep pace with the cost of living. But beyond that, companies should be encouraged to implement profit-sharing programs that give employees a direct stake in success. When workers see that their effort translates into higher earnings, they become more engaged. This isn’t just about fairness—it’s about motivation. A worker who benefits from capitalism firsthand is a worker who believes in it.
Reducing the Cost of Education Without Killing Ambition
Higher education should be a tool for success, not a debt trap. We need to expand affordable alternatives to four-year degrees, like trade schools and apprenticeships, that lead to good-paying jobs without massive debt. Income-based student loan repayment can prevent borrowers from being financially suffocated. At the same time, colleges should be required to disclose expected post-graduation earnings and real job placement rates, so students can make informed decisions. The more people see a clear return on their education investment, the more they will trust the system.
Making Entrepreneurship a Realistic Option
Owning a business is one of the best ways to participate in capitalism—but too many barriers exist for aspiring entrepreneurs. Simplifying regulations for startups would allow more people to create businesses without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. Expanding access to capital through small-business-friendly loans and micro-financing would give new founders a fighting chance. Balanced corporate tax reform should encourage investment in local job creation rather than tax avoidance. If we want people to believe in capitalism, we need to make it easier for them to become capitalists.
Lowering the Cost of Healthcare Without Killing Innovation
One of the biggest reasons people lose faith in capitalism is the cost of healthcare. The answer isn’t to eliminate private insurance—it’s to increase transparency and competition so people can make informed choices. Hospitals and insurers should be required to clearly disclose costs, and the system should encourage market-driven price competition rather than opaque pricing schemes. A healthier, financially stable workforce is a more productive workforce.
Rewarding Long-Term Investment Over Short-Term Speculation
Short-term thinking is eroding trust in capitalism. We need to adjust capital gains tax structures to reward long-term investing while discouraging speculative trading that doesn’t benefit workers or communities. At the same time, we should incentivize domestic manufacturing and infrastructure investment, creating stable, well-paying jobs. The more people see capitalism creating real, tangible value in their lives, the more they will want to support it.
Strengthening Safety Nets That Encourage Work, Not Dependence
Social safety nets should exist to help people get back on their feet, not trap them in dependency. Modernizing unemployment benefits to encourage job transitions, rather than long-term reliance, is key. Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) rewards work and supplements wages, without discouraging upward mobility. And increasing affordable childcare options—especially through employer-sponsored programs—would help parents stay in the workforce. The goal should be clear: help people succeed within capitalism, not outside of it.
A Capitalism Worth Believing In
Right now, young Americans are skeptical of capitalism because they don’t see a way in. If we want to restore their trust, we need to give them a greater taste of its rewards. We need to make sure more people can own homes, build businesses, earn fair wages, and see direct benefits from their work.
Capitalism doesn’t survive through theory—it survives through participation. If we make the system more accessible and ensure that success is broadly shared, young Americans won’t just tolerate capitalism—they will defend it.
The best way to save capitalism isn’t to explain it. It’s to let more people experience its benefits firsthand.