social democracy

American  

noun

1. a political ideology advocating a gradual transition to socialism or a modified form of socialism by and under democratic political processes.

2. a system of government achieved in this way.

   Sweden’s social democracy.

3. Social Democracy, the principles and policies of any of certain Social Democratic parties, especially in Europe.

---

social democracy British  

noun

1. (sometimes capital) the beliefs, principles, practices, or programme of a Social Democratic Party or of social democrats

---

Other Word Forms

• social democratic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of social democracy

First recorded in 1885–90

Compare meaning

How does social-democracy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• social democracy vs. democratic socialism

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

social democracy

Access to a truly meaningful social safety net is part of social democracy too.

From Salon ● Oct. 24, 2022

To some extent, social democracy foundered on an outbreak of bad luck.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2022

“The bottom line is that all platforms can do more and need to do more for the shared set of facts that social democracy depends on,” Mr. Brookie said.

From New York Times ● Aug. 14, 2022

The triumph of social democracy in the 20th-century West has imbued Piketty with the confidence that humanity can transition to a new stage of equality.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 17, 2022

Sid's social democracy had got into her blood perhaps, and anyhow they went about discovering the most remarkable inconsiderateness in the contemporary house.

From Kipps The Story of a Simple Soul by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)