Here is the breakdown of the definition of a Democratic Socialist.

Core Unbiased Response A Democratic Socialist is someone who advocates for a political system that combines a democratic government (multi-party elections, civil liberties, freedom of speech) with a socialist economic system.

The consensus among political scientists highlights these key tenets:

Rejection of Capitalism: Unlike Social Democrats (who want to regulate capitalism), Democratic Socialists ultimately aim to transition away from capitalism entirely. They believe the "means of production" should be socially owned and democratically controlled.

Rejection of Authoritarianism: They explicitly reject the Stalinist or Marxist-Leninist model (like the USSR). They believe socialism cannot be forced by a dictatorship but must be chosen by the people through free elections.

The "Ballot Box" Strategy: They believe in achieving their goals through existing democratic processes and constitutional reform rather than violent revolution.

Economic Democracy: They argue that democracy shouldn't stop at politics; it should extend to the workplace. This often looks like worker cooperatives, where employees vote on company decisions, rather than top-down management by shareholders.

Dissenting Views and Controversies The definition is currently the subject of a major "tug-of-war" in Western politics.

The "Social Democracy" Confusion: There is a significant dispute over terminology in the United States. Politicians like Bernie Sanders or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez identify as Democratic Socialists, yet their policy platforms (Universal Healthcare, Green New Deal) are technically "Social Democratic" (reforming capitalism, not ending it).

Purist Dissent: Traditional socialists argue these politicians are misusing the term and are just "New Deal liberals" because they aren't calling for the immediate seizure of private industry.

The Conservative Critique: Critics from the right argue that "Democratic Socialism" is an oxymoron. They contend that once the state (or collective) takes control of the economy, individual rights inevitably erode, leading back to the authoritarianism seen in past socialist regimes. They argue you cannot have economic coercion without eventually having political coercion.

The Revolutionary Critique: Hardline Marxists and Communists dispute the Democratic Socialist approach as naive. They argue that the capitalist class will never allow themselves to be "voted out" of power and will use their wealth to block any real change, making revolution the only viable path to socialism.

Empirical Facts vs. Opinions

Fact: The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is currently the largest socialist organization in the US, but it acts as a "big tent," containing members who just want healthcare reform and members who want to abolish private property.

Fact: Historically, the United Kingdom's Labour Party (under Clement Attlee in 1945) implemented Democratic Socialist ideas, such as nationalizing the coal, steel, and rail industries while maintaining a parliamentary democracy.

Fact: In Chile (1970), Salvador Allende was the first Marxist to become president of a Latin American country through open elections (a Democratic Socialist victory). However, he was deposed in a military coup in 1973.

Opinion: Whether high taxation and public ownership lead to a more equitable society or economic stagnation is a matter of economic opinion.

Opinion: Whether the Nordic countries (like Sweden) are examples of Democratic Socialism is a matter of debate. Most economists classify them as capitalist Social Democracies, despite what some American politicians might imply.

It is a nuanced term. In short: they want the economic goals of socialism but insist on keeping the political freedoms of Western democracy. I hope that helps clarify the position!