Difference Between Socialism and Democratic Socialism

The main difference between socialism and democratic socialism is that the socialism defines equality in the society while the democratic socialism specifically highlights equality in a democratic state.

Socialism can be defined on a broader perspective as ‘a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates the means of production and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community.’ Even though democratic socialism branched out as a sub-discipline of socialism, their political perceptions and applications have given rise to distinct differences between these two theories.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Socialism 
     – Definition, Principle, Characteristics
2. What is Democratic Socialism
    – Definition,  Principle, Characteristics
3. What are the Similarities Between Socialism and Democratic Socialism
    – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Socialism and Democratic Socialism
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Equality, Economy, Governance, Democratic Socialism, Politics, Socialism

What is Socialism

To define what socialism means, it is the ‘a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates the means of production and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community.’’ Therefore, socialism opposes the concept of capitalism.

This theory first came into being in the late 18^th century, following the industrial revolution in Europe. Henri de Saint Simon is the pioneering figure to coin this term.

Socialism fundamentally is ground on the economic principles of equal distribution of the ownership of production and consumption of goods among the public. In other words, it emphasizes the fact that everyone in the society should have a right to decide on how these global resources should be used and consumed in the world.

The general slogan used in Socialism is ‘from each according to his ability, to each according to his contribution’. Therefore, production and consumption are handled equally according to a person’s contribution. Thus, everyone is accordingly entitled to have a share of these resources in the world. Overall, this helps in reducing poverty in the world.

What is Democratic Socialism

The birth of democratic socialism can be traced back to the end of first world war. Democratic socialism discusses not only economic equality but also about political equality, thus in a democratic state. Therefore, this emphasizes mainly on the equality in a democratic state. In other words, the main aim of democratic socialism is to reach the socialist goals through democratic means.

Furthermore, democratic principles like parliamentary, legal and constitutional means are identified as essential factors to set up this democratic socialist society achieved through economic and political equality.

Furthermore, the prominence is given to the democratic character in democratic socialism. Likewise, unlike socialism, democratic socialism does not advocate nationalization of the goods completely to the public.

Similarities Between Socialism and Democratic Socialism

• Both Socialism and democratic socialism are based on the principle of creating economic and political equality.
• Both these principles oppose capitalism and totalitarianism

Difference Between Socialism and Democratic Socialism

Definition

Socialism is the political and economic theory of social organization that advocates the means of production and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community while democratic socialism is the democracy alongside social ownership of the means of production.

Focus

Socialism mainly focuses on the economic equality among the people while democratic socialism mainly focuses on the economic and well as political equality, specifically in a democratic state. Thus democratic socialism emphasizes equality achieved through a fair election.

Product Ownership

Socialism advocates the public ownership of products while democratic socialism does not advocate complete nationalization of properties.

Conclusion

Socialism and democratic socialism are two political theories that advocate equality of the ownership and the consumption of goods among the people. The difference between socialism and democratic socialism is that socialism defines equality in the society while democratic socialism specifically highlights equality in a democratic state.

Reference:

1.“ Democratic Socialism.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 June 2018, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “311162” (CC0) via Pixabay