Too many young people today view communism and socialism as positive systems of government; or support these ideologies without fully understanding what those beliefs really mean.

This is a dangerous trend as these ideals have led to the crumbling of nations and loss of life for hundreds of millions across the globe.
 
According to a recent survey done by the Cato Institute, 62% of Americans ages 18-29 say they hold a “favorable view” of socialism, and 34 percent say the same of communism. A similar survey conducted by YouGov in 2020 found that 43% of Gen Z were not sure what Marxism looks like in practice. An astonishing 68% of all Americans are unable to define socialism.
 
Our next generation must be well educated about the dangers of these historically violent ideologies. It’s crucial that our young people understand that the perpetual revolutions being promoted do not lead to peace. Nor do they bring prosperity, rather, they undermine the very stability and opportunity we seek as contributing citizens of our society.
 
I am introducing this legislation to combat the misrepresentations of communism and socialism being projected onto Pennsylvania’s young adults. This legislation will direct public institutions of higher education to require a course on the dangers and realities of communism and socialism in a free society.
 
This course will cover the history of communism, the application of communism and socialism in modern countries, and the systematic destruction of civil liberties, personal freedoms and freedom of the press.
 
I encourage my colleagues to join me in pushing back against Marxist propaganda in our public institutions of higher education, so that we can ensure that the next generation of Pennsylvanians hold an accurate understanding of these dangerous systems of government.