Nearly one-third of those in Generation Z agree with the statement “When I think about our political and social institutions, I cannot help thinking ‘just let them all burn.’” (Technically Generation Z starts at age 12, but this survey of adult Americans includes older members of the generation, aged 18 to 27). This compares to only 13% of Baby Boomers.
“The data show that the more affluent— those with annual incomes over $100,000 — those with human capital that helps people be resilient in a changing economy — having earned a four-year college degree — and those who are dependent on government for Social Security and Medicare — Baby Boomers — reject this idea most strongly,” observed poll director and Penn State professor Eric Plutzer.
He went on to say: “Boomers and the economically secure may not think the country is on the right track, but they don’t feel that a radical rebuild is needed. They have a lot at stake. A vested interest in incremental change and stability. Those who are more precarious and have less-certain futures in a changing economy may see institutions failing them.”
Among racial and ethnic groups, Hispanic Americans stand out with nearly 3 in 10 agreeing with the statement “When I think about our political and social institutions, I cannot help thinking ‘just let them all burn.’” About 2 in 10 of the other racial and ethnic groups represented in this survey (white, Black and “other”) agreed with the statement.
While similar proportions of men and women agreed with the statement (22% and 19%, respectively), more than twice as many men than women “strongly” agreed (7% and 3%, respectively).
The size of this survey is not able to scientifically represent a wide variety of religious beliefs, but it can represent Americans who identify as born-again Christians (about one-quarter of adults according to Pew Research Center). A comparison of the responses of born-again Christians with others does not reveal a religiously-related difference of opinions on this question. Similar proportions of both groups agree with the statement about burning down political and social institutions.