democratic socialism
noun
: a political movement advocating a gradual and peaceful transition from capitalism to socialism by democratic means
According to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the goal of having democratic socialism is to achieve a more equal and just society; that the economy and society be run "democratically."—
Timothy Kandor
Timothy KandorMight it be better to chuck conservatism and liberalism altogether in favor of something like democratic socialism?—Laurie Ouellette
Laurie OuelletteDemocratic socialism is growing in popularity among millennials …—Heather Timmons
Heather Timmons… democratic socialism remains poorly understood and is frequently conflated, incorrectly, with communism—or, on the flip side, with European-style social democracy.—Maggie Astor
compare social democracy
Maggie Astor
democratic socialist
adjective
Although state ownership is certainly an important mechanism in the democratic socialist tool kit, it's definitely not the only one.
—Samuel Arnold
Samuel Arnold
democratic socialist
noun
plural democratic socialists
a meeting of democratic socialists
Examples of democratic socialism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Paige sees one possible future synthesis: an indigenous democratic socialism in which ethnicity and culture play as central a role as social class.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020
With conditions worsening, Allende, who had been elected with less than 40 percent of the vote, lacked the political majority and the technical capacity to oversee a transformation to democratic socialism.
—Patrick Iber, The New Republic, 15 May 2023
For instance, since December, hundreds of Starbucks baristas — many of them young and influenced by Bernie Sanders-style democratic socialism — have announced their intention to join Workers United, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union.
—New York Times, 17 Feb. 2022
Over the last five years, the two-party establishment has been effectively challenged by the insurgent movements of democratic socialism and right-wing nationalism, each represented by dynamic personalities like Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Donald Trump.
—Kevin Mahnken, The New Republic, 2 Nov. 2020
The former New York City mayor was forced to defend his divisive record on race, gender and Wall Street in his debate-stage debut, while Sanders, appearing in his ninth of the 2020 primary season, tried to beat back pointed questions about his healthand his embrace of democratic socialism.
—Michelle L. Price, The Denver Post, 19 Feb. 2020
And look, democratic socialism is about factors of production being controlled by workers or a collective.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2022
Urban Democrats — like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents parts of the Bronx and Queens — are more likely to lean toward democratic socialism, while Democrats in the suburbs tend to be far more moderate.
—Kara Miller, BostonGlobe.com, 1 June 2022
With only a few speeches, Sanders would have converted them to democratic socialism.
—David Masciotra, CNN, 11 June 2022
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Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020
With conditions worsening, Allende, who had been elected with less than 40 percent of the vote, lacked the political majority and the technical capacity to oversee a transformation to democratic socialism.
—Patrick Iber, The New Republic, 15 May 2023
For instance, since December, hundreds of Starbucks baristas — many of them young and influenced by Bernie Sanders-style democratic socialism — have announced their intention to join Workers United, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union.
—New York Times, 17 Feb. 2022
Over the last five years, the two-party establishment has been effectively challenged by the insurgent movements of democratic socialism and right-wing nationalism, each represented by dynamic personalities like Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Donald Trump.
—Kevin Mahnken, The New Republic, 2 Nov. 2020
The former New York City mayor was forced to defend his divisive record on race, gender and Wall Street in his debate-stage debut, while Sanders, appearing in his ninth of the 2020 primary season, tried to beat back pointed questions about his healthand his embrace of democratic socialism.
—Michelle L. Price, The Denver Post, 19 Feb. 2020
And look, democratic socialism is about factors of production being controlled by workers or a collective.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2022
Urban Democrats — like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents parts of the Bronx and Queens — are more likely to lean toward democratic socialism, while Democrats in the suburbs tend to be far more moderate.
—Kara Miller, BostonGlobe.com, 1 June 2022
With only a few speeches, Sanders would have converted them to democratic socialism.
—David Masciotra, CNN, 11 June 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'democratic socialism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1848, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of democratic socialism was
in 1848
Dictionary Entries Near democratic socialism
Cite this Entry
“Democratic socialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/democratic%20socialism. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.
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