social democracy

a political ideology advocating a gradual transition to socialism or a modified form of socialism by and under democratic political processes.

a system of government achieved in this way: Sweden’s social democracy.

Social Democracy. the principles and policies of any of certain Social Democratic parties, especially in Europe.

Compare democratic socialism.

Origin of social democracy

First recorded in 1885–90

They are not on speaking terms; and they have put before us three distinct and incompatible views of Social-Democracy.

Man And Superman |George Bernard Shaw
The actual meaning of the events, however, is just that which Social-Democracy foresaw.

Our Revolution |Leon Trotzky
The Social-Democracy is being handled now in an extraordinarily superficial way.

Socialism As It Is |William English Walling
The leaders of Russian Social-Democracy were wont to address themselves to the intellectual readers.

Our Revolution |Leon Trotzky

Social-Democracy, as the party of the proletariat, naturally strives at political supremacy of the working class.

Our Revolution |Leon Trotzky

social democracy

(sometimes capital) the beliefs, principles, practices, or programme of a Social Democratic Party or of social democrats

social democratic, adjective