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'''Democratic Socialism''' is a political [[ideology]] that allows for the [[democratic]] and [[civil liberties]] of party members under [[socialist]] theory. It is a counterbalancing measure to [[dictatorship]] and [[personality cult]]s, and provides a pathway for social and career promotion through party elections to positions of "collective leadership."  

'''Democratic Socialism''' is a political [[ideology]] that allows [[democratic]] rights of party members under [[socialist]] theory. It is a counterbalancing measure to [[dictatorship]] and [[personality cult]]s, and provides a pathway for career promotion through party elections to positions of "[[Collectivism|collective leadership]]."  

Voting rights only accrue to party members, and party membership is only granted after years of rigorous ideological indoctrination, training and testing. Under Democratic socialism, one need not gain power by [[murder]]ing rivals and [[cronyism]]; one must gain the trust and popularity of fellow party members in party elections by being a successful manager among [[policy wonk]]s and [[technocrat]]s.

Voting rights only accrue to party members, and party membership is only granted after years of rigorous [[Revolutionary vanguard|ideological indoctrination]] and training. Theoretically under Democratic socialism, one need not gain power by [[murder]]ing rivals and [[cronyism]]; one must gain the trust of fellow members as a successful manager among [[policy wonk]]s and [[technocrat]]s.

Despite the fact that Democratic Socialism supposedly counters a single-man dictatorship, its policies of expansive government involvement in peoples lives, massive regulations, and a strong association with [[secularism]] and social liberalism, makes it indistinguishable from [[communism]] and [[Progressivism]]. They all advocate [[statism]] and singie-party control by a [[technocrat]]ic [[bureaucracy]].

Despite the fact that Democratic Socialism supposedly counters a single-man dictatorship, its policies of expansive government involvement in peoples lives, massive regulations, and a strong association with [[secularism]] and social liberalism, makes it indistinguishable from [[communism]] and [[Progressivism]]. They all advocate [[statism]] and singie-party control by a [[technocrat]]ic [[bureaucracy]].

In the modern era, Democratic Socialism is the realization of [[Mikhail Gorbachev]]'s failed attempt at ''[[Perestroika]]'' - a restructuring of socialist party power and privileges while denying [[equal rights]], power sharing, and [[universal sufferage]] to the masses.

In the modern era, Democratic Socialism is the realization of [[Mikhail Gorbachev]]'s failed attempt at ''[[Perestroika]]'' - a restructuring of socialist party power and privileges while denying [[equal rights]], power sharing, and a choice of political parties to the masses.

Emerging Democratic socialist counties in the Global South include [[Venezuela]] and [[Bolivia]] (although the former and sometimes the latter are considered dictatorships by many in the [[America]]n mainstream, it is not known whether this is because of [[human rights]] abuses or just an ideological disagreement).

Emerging Democratic socialist counties in the Global South include [[Venezuela]] and [[Bolivia]] (although the former and sometimes the latter are considered dictatorships by many in the [[America]]n mainstream, it is not known whether this is because of [[human rights]] abuses or just an ideological disagreement).

By contrast, some "[[social democracy]]" countries in the First World include the [[Scandinavia]]n countries and [[France]].  

By contrast, some "[[social democracy]]" countries in the First World include the [[Scandinavia]]n countries and [[France]].  

It has been claimed that social democracies—particularly the wealthy European countries—are happier than conservative, capitalist countries, but the polls<ref name="Happiest">Hetter, Katia (March 21, 2016). [http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/16/travel/worlds-happiest-countries-united-nations/ Where are the world's happiest countries?]. ''CNN''. Retrieved November 12, 2016.</ref> tell only part of the story.<ref>[https://sputniknews.com/europe/201601141033149776-europe-rise-of-right-wing-parties-eu-failure/ EU Failures Fuel Rise of Right-Wing Populist Parties in Europe]. ''Sputnik''. January 14, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2016.</ref> The European socialist countries are in turmoil over issues such as [[European migrant crisis|unrestricted immigration]], and [[right-wing]] parties, such as the [[Sweden Democrats]], [[Danish People's Party]], [[Austrian Freedom Party]], [[Swiss People's Party]], [[French National Front]], among others, are growing dramatically.<ref>Aisch, Gregor; Pearce, Adam; Rousseau, Bryant. [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/22/world/europe/europe-right-wing-austria-hungary.html How Far Is Europe Swinging to the Right?]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved November 12, 2016.</ref><ref>Adler, Katya (April 28, 2016). [http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36150807 Is Europe lurching to the far right?]. ''BBC''. Retrieved November 12, 2016.</ref> In areas formerly dominated by the left and socialism, right-wing parties are growing dramatically.<ref>Cohn, Nate (June 27, 2016). [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/28/upshot/brexit-is-a-reminder-of-how-populism-is-redrawing-us-political-lines.html?_r=0 Right-Wing Populism Is Prevailing in Left-Wing Strongholds Around the World]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved November 12, 2016.</ref> In addition, the [[United States of America]], which is much more Christian, conservative, and capitalist overall, is still ranked at number 13, despite the existence of inner city slums across the nation.<ref name="Happiest"/>

It has been claimed that social democracies—particularly the wealthy European countries—are happier than conservative, capitalist countries, but the polls<ref name="Happiest">Hetter, Katia (March 21, 2016). [http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/16/travel/worlds-happiest-countries-united-nations/ Where are the world's happiest countries?]. ''CNN''. Retrieved November 12, 2016.</ref> tell only part of the story.<ref>[https://sputniknews.com/europe/201601141033149776-europe-rise-of-right-wing-parties-eu-failure/ EU Failures Fuel Rise of Right-Wing Populist Parties in Europe]. ''Sputnik''. January 14, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2016.</ref> The European socialist countries are in turmoil over issues such as [[European migrant crisis|unrestricted immigration]], , and [[right-wing]] parties, such as the [[Sweden Democrats]], [[Danish People's Party]], [[Austrian Freedom Party]], [[Swiss People's Party]], [[French National Front]], among others, are growing dramatically.<ref>Aisch, Gregor; Pearce, Adam; Rousseau, Bryant. [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/22/world/europe/europe-right-wing-austria-hungary.html How Far Is Europe Swinging to the Right?]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved November 12, 2016.</ref><ref>Adler, Katya (April 28, 2016). [http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36150807 Is Europe lurching to the far right?]. ''BBC''. Retrieved November 12, 2016.</ref> In areas formerly dominated by the left and socialism, right-wing parties are growing dramatically.<ref>Cohn, Nate (June 27, 2016). [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/28/upshot/brexit-is-a-reminder-of-how-populism-is-redrawing-us-political-lines.html?_r=0 Right-Wing Populism Is Prevailing in Left-Wing Strongholds Around the World]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved November 12, 2016.</ref> In addition, the [[United States of America]], which is much more Christian, conservative, and capitalist overall, is still ranked at number 13, despite the existence of inner city slums across the nation.<ref name="Happiest"/>

==See also==

==See also==