With the 2016 presidential primary season now in full roar, candidates of both major parties are having to finesse the question of whether the U.S. economic system is fair to most Americans or gives an edge to the wealthy.
Reports from the hustings indicate that many potential voters consider the system "rigged" to favor the rich and powerful.
A new survey by Pew Research, conducted between Aug. 27 and Oct. 4, adds ballast to these reports. The poll found that 65% of Americans thought the economic system "unfairly favors powerful interests."
Only 31% said the system "is generally fair to most Americans."
A Pew Research study in December found Americans' optimism about the country's economy trending downward.
Overall, 73% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents in the new survey said the economic system was unfair, compared with 54% of Republicans and Republican leaners.
However, economic differences within the two parties stood out.
