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Ideology · Socialism

Democratic socialism

The Tribune

«More democracy, even in the economy.»

Wants a deep, egalitarian transformation of the economy, but by democratic means: common goods, a strong welfare state, more power to workers and citizens.

In short

On the traditional scale, this ideology sits in the libertarian left camp. The clearest positions are on economy: strongly towards “equality”; society: strongly towards “progress”; environment: strongly towards “ecology”; foreign policy: strongly towards “pacifism”. On technology and devolution it stays balanced. Among the other ideologies, the closest is eco-socialism (99%).

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Principles

Moving beyond capitalism by democratic means: public goods, cooperation and strong redistribution.

Common criticisms

High costsIts proposals require very high public spending and taxes.
A blurry lineIt's not always clear where social democracy ends and something more radical begins.
Market underratedCritics fear less innovation and investment.

Where it comes from

It runs through the entire 20th century and has recently been revived by figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Key figures: Bernie Sanders, Zohran Mamdani, Rosa Luxemburg

Further reading: Capital in the Twenty-First Century — Thomas Piketty; Liberal Socialism — Carlo Rosselli

Position on the 13 axes

Economy→ MarketState→ AuthoritySociety→ TraditionSovereignty← IntegrationReligion← SecularismEnvironment→ GrowthTechnology→ AccelerationForeign policy→ InterventionismJustice→ Tough on crimeDemocracy→ TechnocracyMethod→ RuptureDevolution→ FederalismImmigration→ ControlEconomyStateSocietySovereigntyReligionEnvironmentTechnologyForeign pol.JusticeDemocracyMethodDevolutionImmigration

Similar ideologies

Eco-socialismThe Red Sower99%Libertarian socialismThe Self-Manager97%Market socialismThe Cooperator94%

Closest parties in Europe

PodemosSpain98%Die LinkeGermany97%Rifondazione ComunistaItaly97%Kommunistische Partei ÖsterreichsAustria97%

Closest figures

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Positions are estimates based on documented ideas, platforms and actions, updated to October 2026.