Left-leaning economic policy focuses on wealth redistribution and social equality, as opposed to free markets and capitalism.

Left-leaning economic policy focuses on wealth redistribution and social equality, as opposed to free markets and capitalism.

Sample: 17 757 participants.

The researchers analyzed survey data from the U.S. and the Netherlands. They also conducted a study where people created social media profiles and then liked similar profiles of others. Some participants received no likes on their own profiles, creating a sense of social isolation.

Shown: people with higher levels of anxiety and social isolation are more likely to support left-leaning economic policies. In fact, anxiety and social isolation predict support for left-wing economics even better than income level. This effect holds true in both the U.S. and the Netherlands. In a separate study, participants who were prone to anxiety and received few likes on their profiles were also more likely to support left-leaning economic policies.

More likes = more capitalism.

Link to an article.