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.

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social democracy British  

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived 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

We have been very influenced by American culture, and at the same time we have this strong belief in the state and social democracy and a strong working class.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2022

The struggle for social democracy is a key theme in your new book.

From Salon • Oct. 24, 2022

This would grab attention in any country, but especially in Sweden, a country that is known for egalitarian social democracy.

From New York Times • Sep. 14, 2022

The catastrophe of war, Piketty argued in his 2013 work, gave social democracy its chance to triumph in the West.

From Washington Post • Jun. 17, 2022

But nothing turned Mr. Hardie from his policy of independence, or shook his faith in the belief that only by forming a political party of their own could the working people establish a social democracy.

From The Rise of the Democracy by Clayton, Joseph