Social Democracy is a political current that advocates the fight against social inequalities, without giving up democratic institutions and without breaking with capitalism. Thus, social democracy moves away from revolutionary socialism, since it defends not the overcoming of the system. capitalist, but the correction of its problems, reducing social injustices through reforms and programs of social welfare.
First, it is necessary to understand that the social-democratic current, as the name suggests, is in favor of democratic freedoms, such as freedom of expression and the right to vote. The Social Democrat is, above all, opposed to dictatorship and the oppression of individuals.
Another important feature of social democracy is the guarantee of the right to private property. Unlike socialists, social democrats do not advocate the collectivization of the means of production. The changes desired by the supporters of social democracy must take place within the capitalist system, with the individual right to property and freedom of enterprise being ensured.
At its origin, Social Democracy was linked to Marxism. The first social democrats, like the socialists, advocated the overcoming of capitalism through revolution.
In time, however, social democracy began to reject the revolutionary solution for social, economic and political problems. Instead of seizing power through violence, Social Democrats came to support the idea that socialism should be achieved by legal means, within democratic rules.
The first social-democratic thinker, Eduard Bernstein (1850-1932), was a disciple of Friedrich Engels, founder of the so-called scientific socialism alongside Karl Marx. However, unlike Marx and Engels, Bernstein argued that the transition to socialism should be made by gradually and peacefully, through the electoral process and within the framework of democratic institutions such as the parliament.
Nowadays, socialism is no longer on the horizon of the Social Democrats. In general, the reforms they want must be aimed at expanding democratic freedoms and improving the living conditions of the entire population, which means, among other things, equal opportunities, better distribution of wealth, combating labor exploitation, defending human rights and political freedoms.
Regarding the State's participation in the economy, social democracy distances itself from both socialism and neoliberalism. Social Democrats are not in favor of complete nationalization of the economy, believing that this would generate inefficiency.
But also are not defenders of the liberal thesis of the minimal state, as they believe that the so-called “market laws” are not enough to guarantee the interests of the entire society. For Social Democrats, state intervention in the economy must be done, among other things, to boost development and avoid crises.
Unlike neoliberals, social democrats are not the biggest advocates of privatizing public companies. For them, privatization is only desirable in the case of inefficient state-owned companies.
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