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{{distinguish|[[Democratic socialism|democratic socialism]].}} | {{distinguish|[[Democratic socialism|democratic socialism]].}} | ||
'''Social democracy''' is an ideology which advocates for reforming [[capitalism]] and using the [[state]] to favour the [[working class]] over the [[capitalist class]] without abolishing capitalism or [[Dictatorship of the bourgeoisie|bourgeois rule]] itself. This entails [[liberal democracy]], the creation of a [[welfare state]], the implementation of [[Social services|social programmes]], a [[mixed economy|mixed]] [[market economy]] with [[Market intervention|state regulation and intervention]], and [[wealth redistribution]]. Examples of modern-day social democracies include the [[Nordic countries]] and [[Western Europe]]. The most well-known social democrat in the [[United States of America|United States]] is [[Bernie Sanders]]. | '''Social democracy''' is an ideology which advocates for reforming [[capitalism]] and using the [[state]] to favour the [[working class]] over the [[capitalist class]] without abolishing capitalism or [[Dictatorship of the bourgeoisie|bourgeois rule]] itself. This entails [[liberal democracy]], the creation of a [[welfare state]], the implementation of [[Social services|social programmes]], a [[mixed economy|mixed]] [[market economy]] with [[Market intervention|state regulation and intervention]], and [[wealth redistribution]]. Examples of modern-day social democracies include the [[Nordic countries]] and [[Western Europe]]. The most well-known social democrat in the [[United States of America|United States]] is [[Bernie Sanders]]. | ||
Historically, social democracy was the very first form of [[revisionism]] that arose in reaction to the popularity of Marxist thought. It was first advocated by [[Eduard Bernstein]] of the [[SPD]]. Essentially, social democracy is a [[reformism|reformist]] approach to capitalism. | |||
Social democrats are sometimes called "social [[Fascism|fascists]]" because, like fascists, they seek to preserve capitalism, and whenever bourgeois rule is threatened, they generally side with the fascists against revolutionary [[Socialism|socialists]] (as [[German revolution of 1918–1919|in Germany in 1919]]).<ref>{{Citation|author=Mark Jones|year=2016|title=Founding Weimar: Violence and the German Revolution of 1918–1919|title-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dJhRDQAAQBAJ|city=Cambridge|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9781107115125|lg=https://libgen.is/book/index.php?md5=3D50D4CDFF7A40572D78EA34A89C2372}}</ref> The similarities between social democrats and fascists (particularly [[National Socialism|national socialists]]) are vexing. Both assert that [[Actually Existing Socialism|communist states]] are a gross distortion of socialism, that socialism does not involve the abolition of [[private property]], and that "true socialism" is about subordinating one's individual interests to the interests of [[Volksgemeinschaft|the nation as a whole]] and [[Class collaboration|people of different classes working together]] for the common good. Both advocate for a state-corporate partnership and some degree of welfare, and both are guilty of [[imperialism]]. | Social democrats are sometimes called "social [[Fascism|fascists]]" because, like fascists, they seek to preserve capitalism, and whenever bourgeois rule is threatened, they generally side with the fascists against revolutionary [[Socialism|socialists]] (as [[German revolution of 1918–1919|in Germany in 1919]]).<ref>{{Citation|author=Mark Jones|year=2016|title=Founding Weimar: Violence and the German Revolution of 1918–1919|title-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dJhRDQAAQBAJ|city=Cambridge|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9781107115125|lg=https://libgen.is/book/index.php?md5=3D50D4CDFF7A40572D78EA34A89C2372}}</ref> The similarities between social democrats and fascists (particularly [[National Socialism|national socialists]]) are vexing. Both assert that [[Actually Existing Socialism|communist states]] are a gross distortion of socialism, that socialism does not involve the abolition of [[private property]], and that "true socialism" is about subordinating one's individual interests to the interests of [[Volksgemeinschaft|the nation as a whole]] and [[Class collaboration|people of different classes working together]] for the common good. Both advocate for a state-corporate partnership and some degree of welfare, and both are guilty of [[imperialism]]. | ||
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"''...As we begin socialist reforms we must have a clear conception of the goal towards which these reforms are in the final analysis directed, that is, the creation of a communist society that does not limit itself to the expropriation of factories, the land and the means of production, does not confine itself to strict accounting for, and control of, production and distribution of products, but goes farther towards implementing the principle “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”. That is why the name of Communist Party is the only one that is scientifically correct. The objection that it may cause us to be confused with the anarchists was immediately rejected by the Central Committee on the grounds that the anarchists never call themselves simply Communists but always add something to that name. In this respect we may mention the many varieties of socialism, but they do not cause the confusion of the Social-Democrats with social reformers, or national socialists, or any similar parties.''" | "''...As we begin socialist reforms we must have a clear conception of the goal towards which these reforms are in the final analysis directed, that is, the creation of a communist society that does not limit itself to the expropriation of factories, the land and the means of production, does not confine itself to strict accounting for, and control of, production and distribution of products, but goes farther towards implementing the principle “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”. That is why the name of Communist Party is the only one that is scientifically correct. The objection that it may cause us to be confused with the anarchists was immediately rejected by the Central Committee on the grounds that the anarchists never call themselves simply Communists but always add something to that name. In this respect we may mention the many varieties of socialism, but they do not cause the confusion of the Social-Democrats with social reformers, or national socialists, or any similar parties.''" | ||
== Eduard Bernstein and the SPD == | |||
[[Eduard Bernstein]] was a leading theorist and prominent member of the [[Social Democratic Party of Germany]] (SPD), who argued that the gradual extension of social welfare programs and the reform of capitalist institutions could lead to a peaceful transition to socialism, without the need for a violent revolution. This was in sharp contrast to the [[German Communist Party]] (KPD). There are two historical events which underscore this fundamental divide and the social democrat treachery: | |||
# [[The Spartacist Uprising]]: [[Rosa Luxemburg]] was a prominent Marxist theorist and leader of the left-wing revolutionary movement in Germany. She was a fierce critic of the SPD’s moderate reformist politics and its decision to support Germany’s involvement in World War I. In January 1919, following the collapse of the German monarchy, a left-wing revolutionary movement emerged in Berlin, and Luxemburg played a leading role in the movement. The movement challenged the authority of the new Social Democratic-led government and sought to establish a socialist republic. On January 15, 1919, the SPD government ordered the army and the [[Freikorps]], a right-wing paramilitary group, to suppress the revolutionary movement. Luxemburg and her comrade [[Karl Liebknecht]] were arrested, beaten, and executed by the Freikorps. | |||
# [[The Enabling Act]]: The Nazis rose to absolute power in 1933 with the passing of the Enabling Act. The KPD were absent from the vote because the party had been banned and its members imprisoned or in hiding. The SPD were present and voted against it. The SPD was subsequently banned and many of its members were arrested, tortured, and killed by the Nazis, while others were forced into exile or went into hiding. | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 00:25, 16 September 2025
- Not to be confused with democratic socialism.
Social democracy is an ideology which advocates for reforming capitalism and using the state to favour the working class over the capitalist class without abolishing capitalism or bourgeois rule itself. This entails liberal democracy, the creation of a welfare state, the implementation of social programmes, a mixed market economy with state regulation and intervention, and wealth redistribution. Examples of modern-day social democracies include the Nordic countries and Western Europe. The most well-known social democrat in the United States is Bernie Sanders.
Historically, social democracy was the very first form of revisionism that arose in reaction to the popularity of Marxist thought. It was first advocated by Eduard Bernstein of the SPD. Essentially, social democracy is a reformist approach to capitalism.
Social democrats are sometimes called "social fascists" because, like fascists, they seek to preserve capitalism, and whenever bourgeois rule is threatened, they generally side with the fascists against revolutionary socialists (as in Germany in 1919).[1] The similarities between social democrats and fascists (particularly national socialists) are vexing. Both assert that communist states are a gross distortion of socialism, that socialism does not involve the abolition of private property, and that "true socialism" is about subordinating one's individual interests to the interests of the nation as a whole and people of different classes working together for the common good. Both advocate for a state-corporate partnership and some degree of welfare, and both are guilty of imperialism.
Etymology
The term "social democracy" has a complicated history. Many communists identified with the term in the late 19th and early 20th century. The Communist Party of the Soviet Union was formed from the Bolshevik faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party. Following the October Revolution, the Bolsheviks rejected the term "social democracy" because democracy is a form of state power and the higher stage of communism will be stateless.[2]
The term was only ever popular in western Europe, and thus its association with communism or Marxism died with the rise of liberal economics in western Europe.
Lenin
In 1918 March[3], Lenin made the distinction between Social-Democrats and communists as follows,
"...As we begin socialist reforms we must have a clear conception of the goal towards which these reforms are in the final analysis directed, that is, the creation of a communist society that does not limit itself to the expropriation of factories, the land and the means of production, does not confine itself to strict accounting for, and control of, production and distribution of products, but goes farther towards implementing the principle “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”. That is why the name of Communist Party is the only one that is scientifically correct. The objection that it may cause us to be confused with the anarchists was immediately rejected by the Central Committee on the grounds that the anarchists never call themselves simply Communists but always add something to that name. In this respect we may mention the many varieties of socialism, but they do not cause the confusion of the Social-Democrats with social reformers, or national socialists, or any similar parties."
Eduard Bernstein and the SPD
Eduard Bernstein was a leading theorist and prominent member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), who argued that the gradual extension of social welfare programs and the reform of capitalist institutions could lead to a peaceful transition to socialism, without the need for a violent revolution. This was in sharp contrast to the German Communist Party (KPD). There are two historical events which underscore this fundamental divide and the social democrat treachery:
- The Spartacist Uprising: Rosa Luxemburg was a prominent Marxist theorist and leader of the left-wing revolutionary movement in Germany. She was a fierce critic of the SPD’s moderate reformist politics and its decision to support Germany’s involvement in World War I. In January 1919, following the collapse of the German monarchy, a left-wing revolutionary movement emerged in Berlin, and Luxemburg played a leading role in the movement. The movement challenged the authority of the new Social Democratic-led government and sought to establish a socialist republic. On January 15, 1919, the SPD government ordered the army and the Freikorps, a right-wing paramilitary group, to suppress the revolutionary movement. Luxemburg and her comrade Karl Liebknecht were arrested, beaten, and executed by the Freikorps.
- The Enabling Act: The Nazis rose to absolute power in 1933 with the passing of the Enabling Act. The KPD were absent from the vote because the party had been banned and its members imprisoned or in hiding. The SPD were present and voted against it. The SPD was subsequently banned and many of its members were arrested, tortured, and killed by the Nazis, while others were forced into exile or went into hiding.
References
- ↑ Mark Jones (2016). Founding Weimar: Violence and the German Revolution of 1918–1919. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107115125 [LG]
- ↑ Vladimir Lenin (1917). The Tasks of the Proletariat in Our Revolution: 'The Situation within the Socialist International'. [MIA]
- ↑ Vladimir Lenin (1918). Extraordinary Seventh Congress of the R.C.P.(B.): 'Section Nine'. Moscow: Progress Publishers.