Bernie Sanders

TexasBushwhacker

(20,733 posts) Mon Oct 19, 2015, 10:19 PM Oct 2015

Which better describes Bernie's political philosophy

Social Democracy aims to create the conditions for capitalism to lead to greater egalitarian, democratic and solidaristic outcomes.[4] "Social democracy" is often used in this manner to refer to the social policies prominent in Western and Northern Europe - particularly in reference to the Nordic countries - during the latter half of the 20th century.

or

Democratic socialism is a political ideology advocating a democratic political system alongside a socialist economic system, involving a combination of political democracy (usually multi-party democracy) with social ownership of the means of production. Although sometimes used synonymously with "socialism", the adjective "democratic" is sometimes added to distinguish itself from non-democratic forms of socialism, such as the Marxist–Leninist brand of socialism.

I think Bernie is more of a Social Democrat than a Democratic Socialist. What say you?

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	He's a Social Democrat
	3 (60%)
	He's a Democratic Socialist
	2 (40%)
	Not sure
	0 (0%)
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5 replies

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Which better describes Bernie's political philosophy (Original Post) TexasBushwhacker Oct 2015 OP

Democratic socialism virtualobserver Oct 2015 #1

Of course it is a Clinton supporter who suggests that Sanders is a democratic socialist, and says he PatrickforO Oct 2015 #2

Can we make a distinction between philosophy and policy? Cheese Sandwich Oct 2015 #3

Why not ask Bernie? It's his reputation, after all Demeter Oct 2015 #4

I didn't mean offense TexasBushwhacker Oct 2015 #5

virtualobserver

(8,760 posts)

1. Democratic socialism

Reply to TexasBushwhacker (Original post)

Mon Oct 19, 2015, 10:26 PM

Oct 2015

"social ownership of the means of production" - what that means to Bernie is having companies that are owned by the workers within the company.

The company will still operate in the free market, but for the benefit of the worker-owners.

PatrickforO

(15,126 posts)

2. Of course it is a Clinton supporter who suggests that Sanders is a democratic socialist, and says he

Reply to TexasBushwhacker (Original post)

Mon Oct 19, 2015, 10:36 PM

Oct 2015

advocates the people owning the means of production. Just like Marx.

However, even the most cursory scan of Bernie's 40 year record of achievement in public service shows clearly that he has no objection to business. What he objects to is the excesses inherent in capitalism, which he believes must be reined in by strong and effective government regulation. Voila! Social Democracy.

Cheese Sandwich

(9,086 posts)

3. Can we make a distinction between philosophy and policy?

Reply to TexasBushwhacker (Original post)

Mon Oct 19, 2015, 10:40 PM

Oct 2015

For example George Bush's philosophy was evangelical Christian, but his policy was neo-conservative.

Somehow his Christianity informed his conservative policies.

Bernie calls himself a democratic socialist. I assume he has access to the internet and he's read up on it before slinging the words around. I would say his philosophy may be democratic socialist, because that's what he says.

But his policies I would just call progressive. Those policies are pretty popular in America, and within the mainstream of the progressive movement. He's on the leading edge but still within the mainstream of elected progressives.

I would say his democratic socialist background and ideas inform his progressive policies, and he's trying to angle us toward social democracy.

But he's motivated by the democratic socialist idea that people should be able to participate in the decisions that effect us, and that we all work together to produce the wealth of society, and so that wealth should be distributed very broadly.

Demeter

(85,373 posts)

4. Why not ask Bernie? It's his reputation, after all

Reply to TexasBushwhacker (Original post)

Tue Oct 20, 2015, 02:01 AM

Oct 2015

As far as I'm concerned, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

TexasBushwhacker

(20,733 posts)

5. I didn't mean offense

Reply to Demeter (Reply #4)

Tue Oct 20, 2015, 08:53 AM

Oct 2015

and I don't expect Bernie to change from "Democratic Socialist" to "Social Democrat" in the middle of his campaign. Like you, I'm voting for him regardless of his label. I just thought the contrast of the two philosophies and that in practice, I think he's more of an SD than a DS.

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