Democratic socialism is a political philosophy that advocates for a democratically run and decentralized form of socialist economy. It involves the majority of the population controlling the economy through some democratic system, with the idea that the means of production are socially and collectively owned or controlled alongside a liberal democratic political system of government. Democratic socialists reject most self-described socialist states and Marxism-Leninism. They prioritize democracy as an end over democracy as a means, and some democratic socialists see revolution as an acceptable method of achieving the democracy they desire.
Democratic socialism is different from communism in that democratic socialists believe in elections and want ordinary people to have more power in a more democratic system. They believe in a democracy that creates space for everyone to flourish and answers the fundamental questions of our lives with the input of all. They want to collectively own the key economic drivers that dominate our lives, such as energy production and transportation, and they want the multiracial working class united in solidarity instead of divided by fear.
Democratic socialism is also different from social democracy, which is a mixed economy that combines capitalist markets with extensive state intervention and regulation. Democratic socialists believe that socialism requires robust political and economic democracy, which is the antithesis of authoritarian regimes. They reject social democrats’ attempts to harness capitalism to a strong welfare state, since such mixed economies still leave many businesses’ ownership under private (and therefore undemocratic) control.
In summary, democratic socialism is a political philosophy that advocates for a democratically run and decentralized form of socialist economy, prioritizes democracy as an end, and rejects authoritarian regimes and Marxism-Leninism. It is different from communism and social democracy.
