By Jason Sibert
Because it makes sense both economically and socially. And what exactly is social democracy? Many on the right, mistakenly, say that it’s something like revolutionary Communism, but it’s not, of course. Is it something like Democratic Socialism? No, it’s not that either.
Social Democracy is a form of politics in which the means of producing society’s goods are kept in private hands, as capitalism is the best way to create wealth and goods. At the same time, Social Democracy ensures a better life for the middle and working classes, as well as the poor, by combining capitalism with social insurance, social welfare programs, and worker power.
In addition, Social Democracy accepts much of the framework of Liberal Democracy, including elections, political parties, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. The ideas of Liberal Democracy were born in the Greco-Roman, humanistic world – a world where the innate reason of humans was accepted enough for them to make the laws under which they live. These ideas were adapted, or semi-adapted, by our forefathers at the beginning of the republic. Social Democracy adds a layer to Liberal Democracy by taking a serious look at the needs of man in an urban and industrial society. What do I mean? In an urban, industrial society, most people work for someone else (only six percent of the country is self-employed), and their individuality and humanity are important. Therefore, they need a government and non-governmental institutions (a labor movement) to fight for them in a free-market economy that cares only about the production of goods and profit.
What does the labor movement need to regain its former strength? Passing the Workplace Democracy Act, promoted by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), would be a start. However, I’m not convinced that today’s labor movement will totally replicate yesterday’s. How about wage boards for low-wage industries? California’s Fast-Food Council would be a model. It is composed of representatives from various sectors of the fast-food industry, including employees, franchisees, and advocates. Its role is to make recommendations on new standards specific to the fast-food industry, such as establishing minimum wage and working conditions. The council’s standards are subject to the rulemaking process and do not include regulations for paid time off benefits or predictable scheduling. Similar boards should be established for low-wage healthcare, hotel and motel, and retail workers. Some low-wage workers should also be targeted for nationwide consumer boycotts until worker-friendly standards are met on wages and working conditions.
Social insurance is also very important to this Social Democrat. Social Security and Medicare provide dignity to retirees, and unemployment insurance provides dignity to those who are involuntarily unemployed. In contemporary America, social insurance needs to be expanded. What about social insurance for vacations (a week or two for every American), sick days, personal days, family leave, and paid maternity leave for mothers (for the first three years of a child’s life)? This would be funded, like Social Security and Medicare, through taxation. A national sales tax? A value-added tax? More payroll taxes?
Social welfare programs are also a part of Social Democracy. Means-tested programs like welfare, food stamps, and Medicaid help those at the very bottom of the income scale. However, there are problems with means-tested programs – they create resentment because they don’t benefit everyone like social insurance. This is where worker power comes in. What if wage boards and stronger unions lifted incomes enough that fewer people received means-tested programs? Fewer fast food and retail chains relying on the government to pick up their labor costs? Yes!
The Social Democrat fights for some government involvement in the economy on behalf of workers, while recognizing that the level of involvement seen in a revolutionary Communist society is detrimental to society’s welfare. Therefore, Social Democrats believe in a limited government in both the economic and governmental spheres, unlike revolutionary Communists, who believe the government should control nearly everything. How does it differ from democratic socialism? Democratic socialists want to bring whole sectors of the economy into the governmental sphere, democratically, of course. Usually, this is confined to the most capital-intensive businesses (airlines, utilities, trains, etc.), while the private sector is allowed to operate across many sectors. This model, in my opinion, is too intrusive, although not as intrusive as Communism. I realize that a Social Democrat can believe in a pure socialist model in some economic sectors – police, fire, roads, etc.
In summation, the Social Democrat accepts what’s best about both the free market and government, which is why I hope the idea of social democracy will be the future of the US and other countries around the world.
Leave a Reply