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

• 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

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

From Salon • Oct. 24, 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 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

A very characteristic little piece of the social democracy of America is seen at its best in Chicago, though not unknown in other large cities.

From The Land of Contrasts A Briton's View of His American Kin by Muirhead, James F. (James Fullarton)