I think it would help if we revisit the definitions of a Democratic Socialist and a Social Democracy

[Eko]

Labels dont mean much sometimes, but when discussing them it is helpful to understand where people are probably coming from.
Democratic socialism is a political philosophy that advocates political democracy alongside social ownership of the means of production,[1] with an emphasis on self-management and democratic management of economic institutions within a market or some form of decentralized planned socialist economy.[2]

Democratic socialists espouse that capitalism is inherently incompatible with what they hold to be the democratic values of liberty, equality and solidarity; and that these ideals can only be achieved through the realization of a socialist society. Democratic socialism can be supportive of either revolutionary or reformist politics as a means to establish socialism.[3]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_socialism

Social democracy is a political, social and economic ideology that supports economic and social interventions to promote social justice within the framework of a liberal democratic polity and a capitalist economy. The protocols and norms used to accomplish this involve a commitment to representative and participatory democracy; measures for income redistribution and regulation of the economy in the general interest; and welfare state provisions.[1][2][3] Social democracy thus aims to create the conditions for capitalism to lead to greater democratic, egalitarian and solidaristic outcomes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_democracy

[forklift]

1. The difference is like night and day

Last edited Tue Mar 12, 2019, 09:40 PM - Edit history (1)

Democratic Socialism = Nationalize anything you want to control and dictate policies that you want. (Public ownership of means of production)


Social Democracy = Collect revenues from and regulate private entities in order to enact programs that benefit average people. Almost all Democratic administrations in the US have been Social Democracies.

[Eko]

3. I wouldnt say almost all.

I would say all.

[LuvLoogie]

2. This is the Democratic Underground

Easy peasy

[Eko]

4. Yes, I realized that

when I joined.

[David__77]

5. All with origins in the first workers international.

They are both movements largely committed to operating in the constitutional framework of established republics.

I think there can be a lot of unity between socialists and social democrats.

[Eko]

6. Can you expound on this for us?

It looks like the first workers international was a European movement.

[David__77]

7. It had a US section as well.

See for instance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Workingmen%27s_Association_in_America.

The first international was an ideologically diverse organization from which sprang various socialist and social democratic movements.

Eduard Bernstein, German Marxist (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduard_Bernstein), I think advocated the idea that reforming capitalism to improve the rights of workers and create social security was socialism.

I think that neither "social democrats" nor "democratic socialists" are generally advocating abolition of the existing constitution. Both socialist and social democratic governments have at times advanced some programs of nationalization of certain industries/sectors.