Changes

It is generally considered that the international Left split into two distinct camps after the Russian Revolution of 1917. The more extreme faction, which sought to achieve radical societal change through revolution, became known as ''communism'', while the less extreme faction, which sought to pursue gradual change through the democratic system, became known as ''social democracy''.

It is generally considered that the international Left split into two distinct camps after the Russian Revolution of 1917. The more extreme faction, which sought to achieve radical societal change through revolution, became known as ''communism'', while the less extreme faction, which sought to pursue gradual change through the democratic system, became known as ''social democracy''.

According to some definitions, social democrats continue to have the ultimate objective of achieving full socialism, albeit by peaceful means, while on other definitions they would be content with a society comprising a mixture of capitalist and socialist elements (for example, a heavily regulated capitalist economy).

On one definition, social democrats continue to have the ultimate objective of achieving full socialism, albeit by peaceful means. Others prefer to call such people "democratic socialists", and reserve the term "social democrats" for those who would be content with a society comprising a mixture of capitalist and socialist elements (for example, an economy in which a market operates, but with sizeable governmental intervention, and in which enterprise is possible, but business is subjected to high taxes).

Many parties in economically developed nations have espoused social democratic beliefs, including the [[Labour Party]] in the [[United Kingdom]], the [[SPD]] in [[Germany]], the [[Social Democratic Party]] in [[Sweden]] and [[Finland]] and the [[Australian Labour Party]]. Social democratic beliefs are also found in parts of the American [[Democratic Party]]. In some questions European [[Christian democracy]] is near social democracy ("strong social conscience").

Many parties in economically developed nations have espoused social democratic beliefs, including the [[Labour Party]] in the [[United Kingdom]], the [[SPD]] in [[Germany]], the Social Democratic Parties in [[Sweden]] and [[Finland]], and the [[Australian Labour Party]]. Social democratic beliefs are also found in parts of the American [[Democratic Party]], and some European and South American [[Christian democracy|Christian Democratic]] parties have resemblences to social democratic parties.