What is Democratic Socialism?

Socialism in essence is a state of society in which all people work cooperatively as equals for the common good of all. It is achievable only when democracy has been extended from the political sphere to also include the economy.The titles democratic socialism and participatory economics have been used lately to distinguish "true socialism" from the authoritarian and undemocratic states which have wrongly mislabeled themselves as socialist.

Simple Principals of Democratic Socialism

• Production for human use, not for profit.
• Classless society where no person should exploit any other person.
• Conservation of natural resources through sustainable production.
• Changes in society and government should be made by free and open elections.
• Widespread and full public education is essential to guarantee the equality of people.
• People must have access to information and be allowed to communicate their ideas in order to make informed democratic decisions.
• Public, collective ownership of the means of production and dis tribution and the democratic management thereof. (Not state ownership of every human enterprise)
• Food, housing and health care are basic human rights and should be guaranteed to all.
• Democratic socialism ought to be achieved democratically.

"Socialism" Misused

Certain societies have disguised themselves by using the term socialism.. 'National socialism' advocates a one-party dictatorial capitalist society.'Communism' has frequently been used by governments implementing a one-party authoritarian society with a centrally planned economy. A truly socialist society would have to arise democratically and remain very democratic in order to remain socialist.

The Socialist Party, USA

The Socialist Party strives to establish a radical democracy that places people's lives under their own control - a non-racist, classless, feminist socialist society...where working people own and control the means of production and distribution through democratically-controlled public agencies; where full employment is realized for everyone who wants to work; where workers have the right to form unions freely, and to strike and engage in other forms of job actions; and where the production of society is used for the benefit of all humanity, not for the private profit of a few. We believe socialism and democracy are one and indivisible.