Democratic Socialism vs Socialism
Democratic socialism seeks broad public or worker ownership of the economy, achieved and governed through democratic elections, civil liberties and popular participation.
- Democracy should extend from government into workplaces and the economy.
- Major industries, utilities and finance should be under public or social ownership.
- Health care, housing and education should be guaranteed as social rights.
Socialism is a family of ideas holding that the economy should be owned or controlled socially, so that wealth and power are shared more equally.
- Economic inequality is a central social problem, not a natural outcome to accept.
- Workers and communities should have more control over the places where they work.
- Key industries and services should be owned publicly, cooperatively or by workers.
- Democratic Socialism: petals and stars
- Socialism: dashed outline
★ Where they differ most
- Authority40 points apart
Democratic Socialism: Democratic (strong). Socialism: Democratic (mild).
- Security25 points apart
Democratic Socialism: Liberty (moderate). Socialism: Liberty (mild).
- Structure20 points apart
Democratic Socialism: Balanced. Socialism: Central (mild).
- Culture20 points apart
Democratic Socialism: Multicultural (moderate). Socialism: Multicultural (moderate).
★ Where they are closest
- Technology · 0 apart
- Welfare · 5 apart
- Markets · 5 apart
Axis by axis
Socialism
Economy
Equality / Markets- OwnershipStrong: Public90%10%PublicPrivate
- MarketsStrong: Planned83%17%PlannedFree
- WelfareStrong: Shared93%7%SharedSelf-reliant
State and liberty
Liberty / Authority- AuthorityStrong: Democratic85%15%DemocraticStrong leader
- SecurityModerate: Liberty68%32%LibertyOrder
- StructureBalanced50%50%LocalCentral
Society
Progress / Tradition- MoralityModerate: Progressive80%20%ProgressiveTraditional
- ReligionModerate: Secular80%20%SecularReligious
- TechnologyMild: Embrace60%40%EmbraceCaution
- CultureModerate: Multicultural80%20%MulticulturalNational identity
World
Global / Nation- TradeMild: Global60%40%GlobalProtected
- Foreign policyStrong: Cooperation85%15%CooperationStrength
★ 12 Axes Political Test ★
How close are you to Democratic Socialism or Socialism?
Answer plain statements on 12 axes and see your match with Democratic Socialism or Socialism and every other profile on the site, axis by axis.
FAQ
Democratic Socialism vs Socialism
What is the difference between Democratic Socialism and Socialism?
Democratic socialism seeks broad public or worker ownership of the economy, achieved and governed through democratic elections, civil liberties and popular participation. Socialism is a family of ideas holding that the economy should be owned or controlled socially, so that wealth and power are shared more equally. On the 12 axes they differ most on authority, security, structure.
What do Democratic Socialism and Socialism have in common?
Their positions are closest on technology, welfare, markets. Overall their profiles are a 91% match on the 12 axes used by the 12 Axes Political Test.
Am I closer to Democratic Socialism or Socialism?
Take the 12 Axes Political Test. Your result shows your match with both, and with every other ideology on the site, axis by axis.