Social Democracy
Current that seeks to reconcile capitalism and social justice through democracy, defending regulated markets, a strong welfare state, labor rights, and redistribution to reduce social inequalities.
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In one sentence
I want a society of regulated markets and a strong welfare state, with labor rights and redistribution through democratic means.
Political axes
Profile across the 12 axes
- Balanced
Structure
- Strong · Democracy
Representation
- Leaning · Liberty
Power
- Leaning · Multiculturalism
Immigration
- Strong · Pacifist
Diplomacy
- Leaning · Non-interventionist
Intervention
- Leaning · Public
Economy
- Leaning · Planning
Control
- Balanced
Trade
- Strong · Irreligious
Religion
- Leaning · Progressive
Morality
- Balanced
Technology
What sets this ideology apart
Morality
Leans further toward progressive than 79% of the 243 ideologies in the catalog.
Ideology median 43This ideology 71
Of all the axes, Morality is where it stands furthest from the rest.
Control
On Control, it sits close to the catalog median.
Ideology median 64This ideology 70
Here it shares common ground with most ideologies.
Personalities
Olof Palme
A Swedish statesman, Olof Palme was one of the greatest names of social democracy, expanding the welfare state and championing disarmament, international solidarity, and the rights of poorer countries.
Closest, by dimension
PoliticallyJohn RawlsPhilosopher99%
SociallyPedro SánchezPrime Minister of Spain99%
EconomicallyWilliam BeveridgeEconomist100%
Other compatible profiles
PoliticsYamandú OrsiPresident of Uruguay97%
EconomicsJohn Maynard KeynesEconomist96%
PoliticsJustin TrudeauStatesman96%
PoliticsFernando HaddadEconomist and politician96%
PoliticsB. R. AmbedkarJurist and reformer96%
PoliticsNelson MandelaStatesman96%
EconomicsLuiz Carlos Bresser-PereiraEconomist96%
PhilosophySlavoj ŽižekPhilosopher96%
The most distant
Countries
Reference country
Sweden
Social-democratic monarchyA Nordic parliamentary monarchy, Sweden is a benchmark of social democracy, with a broad welfare state, high taxes, strong social equality, and an open, innovative market economy combined with progressive values.
Other close countries
Iceland
Social-pacifist republicA Nordic parliamentary republic, Iceland combines stable democracy, a welfare state, an open market economy, a highly secular and progressive society, strong institutional trust, and a peaceful foreign policy without permanent armed forces.
Also close, by dimension
PoliticallyNorwaySocial-oil monarchy96%
SociallyUruguaySecular-progressive republic97%
EconomicallyPalestineFragmented authority under occupation99%
The most distant
Allende's Chile
1970–1973Under Allende's Popular Unity, Chile attempted democratic socialism through copper and bank nationalization, agrarian reform, and economic planning until the 1973 military coup.
Also close, by dimension
PoliticallyWeimar Republic1919–193389%
SociallyAnarchist Aragon and Catalonia1936–193993%
EconomicallyAncient Egyptc. 3100–30 a.C.99%
The most distant
Ideological proximity
Close ideologies
Closest within Left
- Left
Social Liberalism
Branch that combines individual freedoms with strong state action to guarantee welfare, education, and healthcare, defending equal opportunity and social security within the market economy.
- Left
State Liberalism
Liberal current that accepts an active role for the state in the economy and in guaranteeing rights, combining individual freedoms and markets with regulation and public policies aimed at the collective good and equality.
- Left
Market Socialism
System in which collectively or publicly owned enterprises compete in markets, uniting the efficiency of competition with the socialist distribution of profits, without the rigid central planning of state economies.
Closest in other spectrums
- Center
Civic Nationalism
Nationalism based on citizenship and shared values rather than ethnicity, defining the nation by adherence to common laws and institutions, open to all who accept its democratic and civic principles.
- Center
Republicanism
Political tradition that values popular sovereignty, civic virtue, and the rule of law, defending citizens' self-government, the separation of powers, and protection against tyranny and the corruption of power.
- Center
Green Centrism
Centrist branch that prioritizes sustainability, gradual energy transition, environmental regulation, and technological prudence, seeking to reconcile climate protection, markets, and democratic institutions without anti-capitalist rupture.
The most distant ideology
Authoritarian NeoliberalismRight30%