The independent Democrats and Social Democracy
This document provides an explanation of the independent DEMOCRATS' ideology as Social Democrats.
What
is Social Democracy?
Social Democracy as an ideology first arose in Europe at the turn of the 20th Century. It represents an ideological compromise between socialism and free market capitalism. Essentially Social Democrats support capitalism and the power of the market but also maintain that its excesses need to be regulated so as to achieve certain societal outcomes. In particular, Social Democrats believe that unbridled capitalism will simply lead to increasing inequalities and that certain progressive measures need to be instituted by the State to prevent this scenario. This could include a welfare state with an extensive social security system, progressive taxation, and large government investments in education, health care and the social well-being of its citizens.
Social Democracy is to the left of Liberalism and to the right of Socialism. Whereas Liberalism believes in less government, we believe in better government. Whereas Socialism believes in the State replacing the market, Social Democrats believe in the State directing the market for the benefit of everyone. Social Democrats believe in a social market as opposed to a free market – we allow the market to flourish but make it clear that the market also has a social responsibility.
As opposed to liberalism, which believes the individual is the sole basis of society and should be afforded complete freedom, social democrats believe in a social contract between government and its citizens. In this social contract, government has a responsibility to ensure that every citizen has the basic necessities such as food, water, electricity, health care and the opportunities to succeed through the provision of education. On the other side of the contract, citizens need to contribute to government through taxes and becoming active participants in their community’s development needs.
Social Democracy in a South African and African Context
The ID believes that a Social Democratic ideology is one that will best address the socio-economic challenges facing South Africa today. It is important, however, that we define this ideology in a South African and an African context. ID believes that in its essence social democracy corresponds with the African humanist philosophy of Ubuntu that emphasises the importance of concern and caring for other human beings. In the coming period, the ID will be exploring the parallels between Ubuntu and Social Democracy and finding ways in which the ideology can be contextualised to deal with the specific challenges facing South Africa.
Addressing South Africa’s Economic Challenges
In general, Social Democrats support: • Regulatory systems in the interests of workers, consumers and small enterprises over complete free markets • Promotion of equality and social justice - - not only before the law but also economic and socio-cultural equality as well, and equal opportunities for all including those with physical, mental, or social disabilities. • Freedom - not only individual liberties, but also freedom from discrimination • Social Market Economy over a Complete Free Market Economy • Fair Trade as opposed to Free Trade • An extensive system of social security • Government-owned or subsidised programmes of education, health care and social services • Solidarity - unity and a sense of compassion for the victims of injustice and inequality. • Moderate to high levels of taxation and a progressive taxation system • Environmental protection • Progressive social policy which enshrines basic human rights • An ethical Foreign Policy that upholds human rights and Multilateralism
ID maintains that a strong developmental State is needed to address the huge social backlogs, poverty and inequality that are found in our society. The ID also argues for a strong industrial policy which identifies key sectors that hold the potential for future economic growth. It is also imperative that we build a greater measure of social cohesion in South Africa, and ID will emphasise the strengthening of partnerships between economic actors so as to achieve shared developmental goals. As Social Democrats, the ID believes that we need to use legislation to address inequality. In South Africa under ANC rule, income inequality has in fact increased and the ID believes that this issue needs to be tackled as a matter of urgency.
Strengthening of the Social Contract in South Africa
ID will also argue for the strengthening of the social contract between government and the citizens of South Africa who possess certain rights and responsibilities, particularly in the areas of health, education and social welfare. Our constitution can in fact be classified as social democratic in nature, given its enshrining of fundamental social rights. Our ideology also upholds the values of representative democracy and the freedoms enshrined in the constitution. Social Democrats challenge the liberal dispensation that the rich and private interests shall dominate the greater good. ID will continue to be outspoken on those values and will never compromise on our principles. Our solidarity and compassion is with the poor in South Africa and we will at all times strive to bridge the enormous divides in our society. Social Democracy allows us to openly acknowledge racial divides in the pursuit of an inclusive racial society.
The ID’s Political Strategy – Outlining our differences with the ANC
The affirming of our ideology as being Social Democratic, means that we will be taking on the ANC in its own political arena. The ID will therefore seek to expose those areas in which the ANC government has failed the poor and has not built the necessary social cohesion to achieve our developmental goals. Although the ID believes in a strong State, it is an unfortunate reality that the current State in South Africa under the ANC government is in fact a weak one. The ID will therefore continue to speak out against the failure of the ANC to address the weaknesses in the State. In particular we will be focusing on corruption, lack of capacity and the present inefficiencies that are leading to such conditions as huge budget roll-overs. The ID believes that given our huge social backlogs these budget roll-overs are criminal. In addition the ID will also emphasise the need for true democratic participation of the poor in their own development. The ID also believes that ANC policies, such as GEAR, that have led to inequalities increasing over the past twelve years need to be challenged. The ID will also be pushing a strong environmental agenda, particularly in the context of sustainable development. On an international level we will develop a foreign policy that upholds the value of multilateralism and pushes a strong social justice and human rights agenda.
Social Democracy as an ideology first arose in Europe at the turn of the 20th Century. It represents an ideological compromise between socialism and free market capitalism. Essentially Social Democrats support capitalism and the power of the market but also maintain that its excesses need to be regulated so as to achieve certain societal outcomes. In particular, Social Democrats believe that unbridled capitalism will simply lead to increasing inequalities and that certain progressive measures need to be instituted by the State to prevent this scenario. This could include a welfare state with an extensive social security system, progressive taxation, and large government investments in education, health care and the social well-being of its citizens.
Social Democracy is to the left of Liberalism and to the right of Socialism. Whereas Liberalism believes in less government, we believe in better government. Whereas Socialism believes in the State replacing the market, Social Democrats believe in the State directing the market for the benefit of everyone. Social Democrats believe in a social market as opposed to a free market – we allow the market to flourish but make it clear that the market also has a social responsibility.
As opposed to liberalism, which believes the individual is the sole basis of society and should be afforded complete freedom, social democrats believe in a social contract between government and its citizens. In this social contract, government has a responsibility to ensure that every citizen has the basic necessities such as food, water, electricity, health care and the opportunities to succeed through the provision of education. On the other side of the contract, citizens need to contribute to government through taxes and becoming active participants in their community’s development needs.
Social Democracy in a South African and African Context
The ID believes that a Social Democratic ideology is one that will best address the socio-economic challenges facing South Africa today. It is important, however, that we define this ideology in a South African and an African context. ID believes that in its essence social democracy corresponds with the African humanist philosophy of Ubuntu that emphasises the importance of concern and caring for other human beings. In the coming period, the ID will be exploring the parallels between Ubuntu and Social Democracy and finding ways in which the ideology can be contextualised to deal with the specific challenges facing South Africa.
Addressing South Africa’s Economic Challenges
In general, Social Democrats support: • Regulatory systems in the interests of workers, consumers and small enterprises over complete free markets • Promotion of equality and social justice - - not only before the law but also economic and socio-cultural equality as well, and equal opportunities for all including those with physical, mental, or social disabilities. • Freedom - not only individual liberties, but also freedom from discrimination • Social Market Economy over a Complete Free Market Economy • Fair Trade as opposed to Free Trade • An extensive system of social security • Government-owned or subsidised programmes of education, health care and social services • Solidarity - unity and a sense of compassion for the victims of injustice and inequality. • Moderate to high levels of taxation and a progressive taxation system • Environmental protection • Progressive social policy which enshrines basic human rights • An ethical Foreign Policy that upholds human rights and Multilateralism
ID maintains that a strong developmental State is needed to address the huge social backlogs, poverty and inequality that are found in our society. The ID also argues for a strong industrial policy which identifies key sectors that hold the potential for future economic growth. It is also imperative that we build a greater measure of social cohesion in South Africa, and ID will emphasise the strengthening of partnerships between economic actors so as to achieve shared developmental goals. As Social Democrats, the ID believes that we need to use legislation to address inequality. In South Africa under ANC rule, income inequality has in fact increased and the ID believes that this issue needs to be tackled as a matter of urgency.
Strengthening of the Social Contract in South Africa
ID will also argue for the strengthening of the social contract between government and the citizens of South Africa who possess certain rights and responsibilities, particularly in the areas of health, education and social welfare. Our constitution can in fact be classified as social democratic in nature, given its enshrining of fundamental social rights. Our ideology also upholds the values of representative democracy and the freedoms enshrined in the constitution. Social Democrats challenge the liberal dispensation that the rich and private interests shall dominate the greater good. ID will continue to be outspoken on those values and will never compromise on our principles. Our solidarity and compassion is with the poor in South Africa and we will at all times strive to bridge the enormous divides in our society. Social Democracy allows us to openly acknowledge racial divides in the pursuit of an inclusive racial society.
The ID’s Political Strategy – Outlining our differences with the ANC
The affirming of our ideology as being Social Democratic, means that we will be taking on the ANC in its own political arena. The ID will therefore seek to expose those areas in which the ANC government has failed the poor and has not built the necessary social cohesion to achieve our developmental goals. Although the ID believes in a strong State, it is an unfortunate reality that the current State in South Africa under the ANC government is in fact a weak one. The ID will therefore continue to speak out against the failure of the ANC to address the weaknesses in the State. In particular we will be focusing on corruption, lack of capacity and the present inefficiencies that are leading to such conditions as huge budget roll-overs. The ID believes that given our huge social backlogs these budget roll-overs are criminal. In addition the ID will also emphasise the need for true democratic participation of the poor in their own development. The ID also believes that ANC policies, such as GEAR, that have led to inequalities increasing over the past twelve years need to be challenged. The ID will also be pushing a strong environmental agenda, particularly in the context of sustainable development. On an international level we will develop a foreign policy that upholds the value of multilateralism and pushes a strong social justice and human rights agenda.
