How one in five young adults would prefer a despot to democracy
According to a shock poll, one in five people aged 18 to 45 prefer unelected strong leaders over democracy.
Millennials and “Gen Z” were more supportive than older generations of a country governed by someone who “doesn’t have to worry about elections.”
According to the poll, published today in the FGS Global Radar report, 21 percent of “Gen Z” and 20 percent of Millennials said that “the best system to effectively govern a country is a strong leader who doesn’t have to do’. interfere in elections.’
This compares with just 8 percent of baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, and 9 percent of the ‘silent generation’, born before the end of World War II.
The report comes amid rising support for some populist parties around the world, and ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration in America next week.
The poll also found that there are clear generational divides on a number of social issues.
It found that more than 40 percent of 12 to 24-year-olds believe people should be able to define their gender and that this should be protected by law.
Yet only 17 percent of people over 65 share the same opinion.
As many as 21 percent of Generation Z and Millennials prefer “a strong leader who doesn’t have to worry about elections,” a recent poll shows (file image)
A report from FGS Global Radar predicted that Donald Trump (pictured) would encourage dictators and authoritarians, but that some of his policies would resonate with the public
And there was division in support for the so-called ‘nanny state’. Nearly half of under-35s support using taxes and regulations to encourage healthier eating, but older voters disagree.
Most over-45s also believe Britain should treat China as a security risk and an unreliable player, while the majority of under-35s believe the country should pursue a positive relationship with China because of its economic weight.
Sir Craig Oliver, co-global head of strategy and reputation at FGS Global, told the Mail: ‘While it is still far from a majority view, it is clear that democracy faces more questions and criticism.
‘It mainly comes from young people, who often feel that they do not have enough influence on society.
How the establishment argues why we need democracy will be a key question as populists and authoritarians try to convince us otherwise.
‘The generation gap is real and large in many areas. The way in which politicians and companies try to bridge the bridge will determine who is and who is not successful in the modern world.’
The annual FGS Global Radar report, which looks at the big themes of 2025, predicted that this year will be “the year of Trump.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping. While most people over 45 said China should be treated as a security risk, younger generations supported a positive relationship with the world’s second-largest economy
It says the president-elect “has set the agenda — not just in the United States but globally — with threatening tariffs, deregulation, geopolitical disruption and mass deportations.”
The FGS report predicts that dictators and authoritarians “will be emboldened under Trump – but part of his policy agenda is resonating with the public.”
And the poll found that 60 percent thought things would get “worse” under Trump on international climate agreements, women’s health and reproductive rights.
Only about one in four – 23 percent – are positive about the global economy under the incoming president.