Questions

A new CNN poll conducted by SSRS found that about one-third of Democrats and Democratic-leaning adults now identify as democratic socialists.

The poll also found that, among Democratic-aligned adults who do not personally identify as democratic socialists, 64% would be at least OK with the Democratic Party nominating one. Democratic-socialist candidates have also recently won several Democratic congressional nominations.

Do these results suggest that democratic socialism is becoming dangerously influential within the Democratic Party, or is its growing popularity not a serious concern?

CNN article: https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/30/politics/cnn-poll-a-third-of-democrats-now-identify-as-democratic-socialists

Social democracy and democratic socialism have historical overlap, but they are not identical as defined in this poll.

Social democracy preserves a predominantly capitalist economy and private ownership while using democratic government, regulation, labor protections, public services, taxation, and a substantial social safety net. Oxford describes social-democratic capitalism as combining political democracy and capitalism with education, welfare programs, employment-supporting services, and market regulation.

Democratic socialism retains political democracy but seeks a larger transfer of economic ownership and control toward public, worker-owned, cooperative, or other collective institutions. The DSA explicitly says its vision goes further than historic social democracy and that capitalism should ultimately be replaced by democratic socialism.

Supporters of social democracy argue that it can preserve market competition while providing stronger social protections. Supporters of democratic socialism argue that political democracy is incomplete without greater democratic control of economic power.

Which system would be better for the United States?