What Is Democratic Socialism?

Democratic Socialism, leftism or Marxism by any other name, is once again ascendant in the US among the young, the restless, and the woefully ill-informed. It is a wolf in sheep's clothing and has never--got that, never--produced a healthy, free, and prosperous society in all of history. But it is dangerous and a threat to American well-being, so we need to learn about it, what it is, certainly what it is not, and how it can be sent back to the dustbin of history where it belongs. For more Christian commentary, see my website www.rexmrogers.com or check my YouTube channel @DrRexRogers.  #socialism #Marxism #DemocraticSocialism #LegalizedTheft

Transcript

To quote Ernest Hemingway about going broke, “How did you go bankrupt?"
 Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” That’s something worth remembering as we consider Democratic Socialism. 

Hi, I’m Rex Rogers and this is episode #269 of Discerning What Is Best, a podcast applying unchanging biblical principles in a rapidly changing world, and a Christian worldview to current issues and everyday life.

Zohran Mamdani winning the mayoralty in New York City put the term “Democratic Socialism” on the map. But the term and associated beliefs have been around for about a century. 

During the 1880s and 1890s, some American socialists began distinguishing themselves from revolutionary Marxists by advocating gradual, democratic reform rather than violent revolution. Although the phrase "democratic socialism" was not yet widespread, the concept was emerging.

The movement became much more visible with the formation in 1901 of the Socialist Party of America. Its best-known leader was Eugene V. Debs, who ran for president five times between 1900 and 1920. Debs generally described himself as a socialist, not specifically a democratic socialist, but many historians consider his approach an early form of democratic socialism because he sought change through elections, supported constitutional government, rejected political violence, and emphasized workers' rights and public ownership of key industries. 

The actual phrase "democratic socialism" began appearing more frequently in newspapers, books, and political writings during the 1910s and 1920s, often to distinguish electoral socialism from Bolshevism after the Russian Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 that brought Vladimir Lenin to power and eventually launched the Soviet Union. Norman Thomas became leader of the Socialist Party and ran for president six times (1928–1948), while openly advocating democratic socialism. Thomas consistently argued that socialism should always be democratic and rejected Soviet communism.

The modern organization most associated with the term is the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) founded in 1982. The DSA advocates achieving socialist policies through democratic institutions rather than revolution.

The term entered mainstream American political discourse during 2015–2016, in Senator Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign. Although Sanders is an Independent, he repeatedly identifies himself as a Democratic Socialist, bringing the term into widespread public discussion. Since then, figures such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and other DSA-supported candidates have further increased its visibility. This visibility went to the stratosphere when Zohran Mamdani became Mayor of New York City.

In 2026, “the DSA has endorsed about 150 candidates this cycle, according to an analysis by the Washington Examiner, with 35 either winning primaries or advancing without opposition, in races stretching across Oregon, California, Georgia, Pennsylvania and New York.” 

“CNN data analyst Harry Enten pointed to a poll from Marquette Law School that found the DSA now holds higher favorability than sitting congressional Democrats. In his segment, Enten summarized it by saying: ‘Simply put, they’re more popular than the Democrats currently in charge.’”

“Former New York governor David Paterson warned on 77 WABC radio that the (Democrat) party risked something more fundamental than an electoral setback. ‘We’d better get that message and turn it around before we become extinct,’ he said.”

Democratic Socialists differ, at times incrementally but often dramatically, from the views held by Democrats. Longtime Democrat political guru James Carville said of one of the NYC DSA candidates, "I don't think that the congressional Democrats should seat her as a member of the Democratic Party. She actually describes herself as a democratic socialist.  I don't have anything in common with someone that says that they're against interracial dating or doesn't want to have any incarceration for convicted felons." 

One NYC DSA primary victor, “Avila Chevalier, a pro-Hamas Marxist convert to Islam who wants to abolish ICE and the police, and has so much contempt for the United States of America that she has boasted about using the American flag as a napkin.”

James Carville said, “This is a bridge too far. That's the only way I can put it —and a bridge I don't want to cross. I think a lot of Democrats feel the same way that I do." And he also responded with his usual crude commentary, “I actually do think it’s time for Democrats to talk the S-word: schism.” He added that some DSA-aligned candidates ‘have no place in the Democratic party’ and, of the broader coalition: ‘I’m not in that blankety-blank political party.’”

The new and now Democratic Socialists are not Democrats. They simply use this phrase, as Bernie Sanders has done, to make their Marxist views somehow more palatable, a kind of soft socialism in their propaganda. They are not traditional Liberals like Bill Clinton. They are something more, what scholars and what they call themselves, Leftists.

Leftists are typically anti-God, anti-religion, anti-Israel, and antisemitic. They assume a victim posture and talk incessantly about the oppressor—usually America, Christians, conservatives, Israel, or Republicans and often Democrats.

They want to abolish ICE, defund the police, abolish prisons, and change the US Constitution—that’s right, fundamentally overhaul and change the American political system in a manner that gives them more centralized power. They are pro-Hamas, pro-open borders, wish to curtail freedom of speech, and are pro-identity politics, and pro-sexual progressivism. Their economics is based on Marxism, they are anti-nationalist and pro-globalist, and they are pro-climate change. Many Leftists consider America racist, xenophobic, violent, and imperialistic, and they frequently speak, as former President Barack Obama did recently, about America’s presumed birth in slavery, which, though America fought a Civil War wherein 750,000 died to end slavery, is for them America’s unforgiveable sin. Leftists are anti-American, suspicious if not against the 250th anniversary celebration, and they offer a sour, nihilistic outlook on life.

Democratic Socialists affirm most of these views. Democratic socialism generally holds that: Capitalism creates persistent inequalities and concentrations of economic power. Democratic institutions should be used to achieve a more socialist economy. Workers and the public should have greater control over economic life. Essential services such as healthcare and education should be publicly guaranteed. Some sectors of the economy may be publicly owned or organized through cooperatives. Many democratic socialists are also leftists because they favor redistributive economic policies. Mayor Mamdani is proceeding with plans to seize property, control rents, and increase the taxes on the wealthy to the point many wealthy families have already left or are signaling their intention to move their residences from NYC to other states. 

At the moment, many traditional Democrats, like Carville, are reeling. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has emerged as one of the Democratic Party's most vocal critics of the Democratic Socialists of America and the progressive Left, particularly following DSA-backed victories in New York City primaries."

“‘Big night for the dirtbag left,’ Fetterman said, referring to New York’s recent primaries, where two members of the Democratic Socialists of America won primaries. ‘I’ve said the party is becoming an orgy of socialism. Clearly anti-America, anti-Western Civilization.’” He also “criticizes the Democratic Party, claiming it's being taken over by socialists with extreme views. He highlights NYC Mayor Mamdani's defiance of a Supreme Court ruling on immigration and a Denver DSA congressional candidate's refusal to condemn antisemitism.”

Whether you like Carville or Fetterman’s salty approach to calling out the DSA, they are correct in their assessment the DSA does not represent fundamental American values. Mayor Mamdani is Exhibit A. 

Mayor Mamdani last fall and these recently elected DSA candidates were victorious because most registered New Yorkers, and thus most registered Democrats, did not vote. The vote totals for all these DSA candidates were in the mere single-digit percentiles of all eligible voters. Democratic Socialists qua Leftists hold views antithetical to the founding ideals of the American constitutional republic and to its future well-being. They work with a faulty view of human nature, are motivated by power, and envision a utopia of their own making. But truth be told—remember that word?  Reality—remember that word?  Socialism has never worked anywhere in any country it has been tried, and worse, millions have suffered and died as a result. Do not be fooled by Democratic Socialism. It’s fool’s gold.

Well, we’ll see you again soon. This podcast is about Discerning What Is Best. 

If you find this thought-provoking and helpful, follow us on your favorite podcast platform. For more Christian commentary, see my website, r-e-x-m as in Martin, that’s rexmrogers.com, or check my YouTube channel @DrRexRogers.

And remember, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm.

© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2026    

*This podcast blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact me or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com/ or my YouTube channel @DrRexRogers or connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers.