Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortese once regarded as on the periphery, but their rise continues in NY.
Democratic New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a socialist, has the edge over former Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary due to the Big Apple’s atypical voting system, according to a poll released Monday.
In a piece published June 16, the New York Times editorial board blasted Mamdani, claiming that he “is a democratic socialist who too often ignores the unavoidable trade-offs of governance.” Meanwhile, the editorial board asserted that Cuomo “has the strongest policy record of the candidates,” adding that they think he has “won the most impressive collection of endorsements” in the New York City mayoral race. However, the board stopped short of giving any candidate its endorsement.
Here is a description. Please point out the dangers in this type of government.
Thanks!!
Democratic socialism is a political and economic philosophy that advocates for political democracy alongside a socially owned and democratically controlled economy. It distinguishes itself from authoritarian forms of socialism (like Marxism-Leninism) by its unwavering commitment to democratic processes and civil liberties.
Here are the main characteristics of democratic socialism:
* Commitment to Democracy: This is a fundamental characteristic. Democratic socialists believe in a multiparty political system, free and fair elections, freedom of speech, assembly, and other civil liberties. They seek to achieve their goals through peaceful, legal, and electoral means, rather than violent revolution.
* Social Ownership of the Means of Production (or Key Industries): While not necessarily advocating for complete state ownership of all businesses, democratic socialists typically support social or collective ownership/control of major industries, utilities, and essential services (like healthcare, education, and transportation). The aim is to ensure these resources benefit society as a whole, rather than private profit.
* Economic Democracy and Worker Self-Management: A strong emphasis is placed on democratizing the workplace and economy. This can involve worker co-operatives, employee representation on company boards, and greater democratic control over economic institutions. The idea is to empower workers and give them a voice in decisions that affect their livelihoods.
* Reduced Economic Inequality and Social Welfare: Democratic socialists aim to significantly reduce income and wealth disparities through progressive taxation, robust social safety nets, and comprehensive public services. They advocate for extensive publicly financed programs such as universal healthcare, affordable housing, free education, and strong social security.
* Regulation of the Economy: Even in sectors where private ownership might exist, democratic socialists advocate for strong government regulation to ensure fair labor practices, environmental protection, and consumer rights, and to prevent monopolies and excessive corporate power.
* Rejection of Authoritarianism: Democratic socialists explicitly reject the centralized, administrative-command economies and authoritarian governance seen in historical communist states. They prioritize individual liberty and democratic participation in all spheres of life.
* Focus on Social Justice and Equality: Beyond economic equality, democratic socialists are committed to fighting various forms of oppression, including those based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and disability. They believe that a truly democratic and socialist society must address all systemic inequalities.
It's important to note that while some associate democratic socialism with the "Nordic model" (countries like Sweden and Denmark), these are often more accurately described as social democracies. Social democracies typically operate within a capitalist framework but with extensive welfare states and strong social protections. Democratic socialism, in its more traditional sense, generally seeks to replace capitalism with a socially owned economy, albeit through democratic means, though modern interpretations can vary in the degree to which they envision a fully non-capitalist system.
