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Social democracy
The Social Broker
«The market is a good servant but a bad master.»
Accepts the market economy but corrects it with universal welfare, progressive taxation and dialogue between unions and businesses.
In short
On the traditional scale, this ideology sits in the center-left camp. The clearest positions are on economy: fairly towards “equality”; method: fairly towards “reform”; society: fairly towards “progress”; sovereignty: fairly towards “integration”. On state and democracy it stays balanced. Among the other ideologies, the closest is eurocommunism (93%).
Principles
- Universal welfare
- Progressive taxation
- Cooperation between labor and business
A market economy balanced by a universal welfare state, strong unions and progressive taxes.
Common criticisms
Where it comes from
It was born in the late 1800s from German workers' parties and Eduard Bernstein's revisionism, and triumphed in 20th-century Scandinavia.
Key figures: Olof Palme, Clement Attlee, Sandro Pertini
Further reading: The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money — J. M. Keynes; Left and Right — Norberto Bobbio
Position on the 13 axes
Similar ideologies
EurocommunismThe Democratic Comrade93%Liberal socialismThe Actionist92%Social liberalismThe Reformer90%Closest parties in Europe
Social DemocratsIreland97%
Sozialdemokratische Partei ÖsterreichsAustria96%
Sozialdemokratische Partei DeutschlandsGermany95%
ELASGreece94%Closest figures
Positions are estimates based on documented ideas, platforms and actions, updated to October 2026.