Can someone explain the concept of a socialist democracy?

Question

I've heard of this, but don't really understand what it is. What are the pros and cons? How would it differ from a capitalist democracy? I'm not for or against, just want to know.

Answer 1

A socialist democracy is one in which the forces of the market are checked by government regulation. In some areas, such as health care or education, the market can actually act to harm the population, so the government administers those areas to ensure that services are provided to everyone who needs them.

Most major democracies have at least some socialist policies in place to check the market. In the USA, for instance, we have socialized primary education, partially socialized medicine for the poor, elderly, and for veterans. In most other countries, higher education is socialized (university is either free or nearly free in most of Europe, for instance), and socialized medicine (the government administers medical care, and little or no money changes hands when you go to the doctor). Many heavy industries were formally socialized, and many national air carriers and telecommunications companies were once socialized, but there has been a trend toward decreasing government ownership of those sectors of the economy that can function as for-profit ventures without harming the people.

Answer 2

Litterally, that'd be a socialist economic system combined with a democratic form of government. In effect, people would vote on what to produce and how to distrubute the proceeds.

What you've probably heard about though, is 'social democray.' Most of the 'western world' (that is, America, Canada & Europe), today, are social democracies. That's a democratic form of government with at least some protection of individual freedom, but tempered (or contaminated) with a strong consideration of 'social justice,' including socialist-like systems of income redistribution.

Answer 3

Socialism has several different views on democracy. Many democratic socialists and social democrats believe in a form of participatory democracy and workplace democracy combined with a representative democracy

Answer 4

In general, contemporary social democrats support:

A mixed economy consisting mainly of private enterprise, but with government owned or subsidised programs of education, healthcare, child care and related services for all citizens.
Government bodies that regulate private enterprise in the "interests" of workers, consumers and "fair competition".
Advocacy of fair trade over free trade.
An extensive system of social security (although usually not to the extent advocated by democratic socialists or other socialist groups), with the stated goal of counteracting the effects of poverty and insuring the citizens against loss of income following illness, unemployment or retirement.
Moderate to high levels of taxation (through a value-added and/or progressive taxation system) to fund government expenditure.
Environmental protection laws (although not always to the extent advocated by Greens), such as combating global warming and increasing alternative energy funding.
Support for immigration and multiculturalism.
A secular and progressive social policy, although this varies markedly in degree. Most social democrats support gay marriage and abortion rights.
A foreign policy supporting the promotion of democracy, the protection of human rights and where possible, effective multilateralism.
As well as human rights, social democrats also support social rights, civil rights and civil liberties.

Answer 5

Well whether people want to admit it or not we are a Socialist Democracy in many respects.

Our taxes are used to support social programs like welfare, medicare, social security, police and fire departments and in some instances medical clinics. There are other apsects as well.

Answer 6

It was best summed up by George Orwell in "Animal Farm" - All people are equal; but some people (e.g. the Politburo) are more equal than others.
Whatever means - guns, bribery, patriotism, fairy tales or fanning the flames of interracial hatred and envy - politicians use to gain power, the resulting system will be a hierarchy. The only difference between the people at the top of any regime will be their table manners.

Answer 7

Let's not forget, we are NOT a democracy. That's another lie from the bleeding hearted liberals, but don't be upset. They lied to themselves first. The USA is a republic. There is a huge difference.

Answer 8

If you're curious, take a look at Canada. It's their form of governing, and there's lots of information available about them.