Democratic Socialism
Social democracy is democratic socialism
The purpose of the Swedish Social Democratic Party
The Purpose Chapter of the constitution of the Swedish Social Democratic Party adopted by the party congress 2017:
Social Democracy wishes to build a society based on the ideals of democracy and equal rights. The goal of democratic socialism is free and equal people in a society characterised by solidarity. Human beings will be free to develop as individuals, have control over their own lives, shape their lives according to their own desires and exert influence in their own community. This freedom applies to everyone. Consequently, equality is the precondition of freedom.
Social Democracy wishes to remove the economic, social and cultural barriers to human liberation. Our goal is a society without superior and inferior orders, without class differences, patriarchy, racism or homo/transgender phobia, a society free of prejudice and discrimination.
Solidarity grows out of the realisation that we all need each other. The good society is built on collaboration using mutual consideration and respect. Everyone must have the same rights and opportunities to exert influence, everyone must have the same obligation to take responsibility.
Social Democracy wishes to allow the ideals of democracy to characterise the entire society and relationships between people. The common will of the citizens, developed in a free and open debate and expressed in democratic elections, is always superior to other claims to power.
Democracy comes, consequently, before the market. Through democracy the citizens determine the principles that should govern society and how tasks and responsibilities are to be allocated between the group and the individual, between the public sector and the market.
Social Democracy wishes to ensure that each human being, as a citizen, a worker and a consumer, will have the right and the opportunity to influence the direction and distribution of production, the organisation of working life and working conditions. The union movement plays a central role in these efforts. However other free associations, popular movements, NGOs, educational organisations, environmental groups, consumer organisations and cooperatives are also vital for the broadening and deepening of democracy.
The climate crisis and environmental degradation have made it clear that humans cannot live without paying due regard to nature. Our survival requires long-term economically, socially and ecologically sustainable development that meets the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to fulfil their own dreams.
The Social Democracy view of democracy knows no national boundaries. The goal is a global community based on the ideals of democracy. Democracy presupposes freedom from poverty and fear, but also the freedom and opportunity to develop in community with other people. Consequently, political freedoms must be fused together with fundamental economic, social and cultural rights.
International solidarity means standing up for human rights, widening the circle of democracies and providing clearly-stated support to movements struggling to achieve this. But it also concerns expanding democracy’s radius of action across borders. This requires increased global cooperation between nations and between popular movements worldwide. The international institutions must have the power to check and balance global capital and be developed into tools for democracy, justice and sustainability
