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

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

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 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

They belong to the moderate wing of social democracy, being opposed to revolution and terrorism, and placing their confidence in constitutional agitation.

From Contemporary Socialism by Rae, John