Can anyone tell me the differences between a socialist and a democrat?
407230
A "little-d democrat" is someone who supports the idea of democratic government. Such people come with all sorts of views on economics, from laissez-faire capitalist to Marxist communist. But I think you actually mean "Big-D Democrat", as in a member of the Democratic Party.\n\nOn economic theory, the Democratic Party is a mixed bag. Some of us are more laissez-faire capitalist than Bush and Cheney, most of us (myself included) support regulated capitalism (with significantly more regulation than most Republicans like). \n\nA full-fledged socialist believes that society, i.e. the government, should control most or all means of production. Actual socialists are pretty thin on the ground in US politics. Most notable is Congressman Bernie Sanders of Vermont. He runs as an Independent, but caucuses (meets to plan strategy) with the Democrats in the House of Representatives.
795709
A Democrat is a liberal while a Republican is a conservative.\nThe youth prefers the liberal while mature people likes the conservative.  Religious groups prefer the conservative but hates the liberals for championing abortion and gay marriages.
485280
Republicans: to conserve national traditions, limit government interference, promote big business, and support democracy causes.\n\nDemocrats: to reshape government, to acquire more government control, limit big businesses, and focus on domestic issues.
57009
Some conservatives are Republican and some are Democrats. Since we have only two major parties, the reasons behind why a person chooses a party over the other can sometimes be baffling. That's why they say that there are conservative, moderate, and liberals in every party (and some fanatics and extremists, too from each of those three). The two parties do their best to represent all the members within. A person may be a social conservative, but an economic moderate and choose to be a Democrat because the economic issues hold more importance than social issues, or vice versa they may choose to be Republican because social issues are more important. You can have a socially liberal person who is also economically conservative and very moderate on other issues who due to their conservative stance economically chooses to be Republican. Or because of their very liberal social views will choose Democrat, or will choose neither because the issues that are important to them aren't strongly emphasized either way by either party and will register as independent (my sister being a good example)
299163
Good question!\n\nThe line between the two parties is a lot more blurred in the United States than it ever has been before.  Traditionally, the Democratic Party was always the "blue-collar" party and the Republican Party was always the "white-collar" party.\n\nHowever, many have crossed party lines...there were many many so-called "Reagan Democrats" who voted for Reagan in spite of the fact that he was the republican nominee.  Likewise, there were many republicans who voted for Clinton (myself included).  \n\nI think the best way to describe the difference between the parties is like this (and this is ONLY my own opinion):\n\nRepublicans typically believe that the federal government should have as minimal a role in the lives of citizens as possible.  People are generally "good" and will do the right thing.\n\nDemocrats typically believe that the federal government has the responsibility to right all the social wrongs caused by our capitalist society.  People are generally too "greedy" to do the right thing, and therefore must be legislated into doing what's right.\n\nI want to stress again that this is MY OPINION, so please don't slam me for having an opinion if yours differs.  Debate is welcome, slamming is not.
1068746
There are two meanings here.  One democratic means we vote to decide policy the other is the "democratic party" which has a certain set of values it expouses that are different from that of the other dominant political party the "republican party".
922471
If you are in the States, I believe you mean the Democrats.  Liberal is a political standpoint, like conservative.  Republican & Democrat are actually political parties.
936174
Jesus was more of a Socialist than anything else.\n\nHe taught sharing and caring.
792994
Democrat.  No.  Socialism does not work.  Neither does conservatism, which is one of the greatest scourges of human history.  Extremism is always bad for America.  That is why Democrats have been willing to fight fascists and communists alike, when Republicans would - and did - cut and run, and why Democrats have always supported the operations in Afghanistan.  "Of the people, by the people, for the people" is not a socialist tenet; how far Republicans have fallen from the height Abraham Lincoln set them upon!  Democrats won't turn America socialist; the idea that they would is just one of the many lies told by conservatives for the past hundred years or so.  For all their supposed morality, conservatives have proven to be the most corrupt and immoral of all; before Mark Foley there was Sulla of Rome.
1179850
Liberal is left wing\n\nConservative is right wing\n\nThink of it as a line with 0 as the center and 1 thru ten going in each direction. People land somewhere on that scale based on their politics.
398843
A socialist believes in capitalism, but only with heavy government intervention.  In otherwords, the right to own but with heavy taxes.  The right to profit, but with heavy taxes.\n\nA communist does not believe in capitalism.  Communists believe in no ownership, business or currency.  A completely government-run economy.
165304
Share w them what u have learnt. \n\nTell them communism is utopian.\n\nTell them socialism is somewhere between communism and capitalism. It promotes REAL democracy, save the environment, doesn't need people to work like a dog... etc./
215336
One of the most major differences (speaking more officially/ideologically, and leaving out de facto differences which are obvious enough today) is with respect to what the role of the state, and in particular the relationship of the state to individual liberty, should be. In general, republicans want as little government 'interference' as possible, and tend to be anti-taxation (to take one obvious example), on the grounds that 'It's my money and I should be free to do what I want with it; I know how to spend it better than the government does.' Democrats, on the other hand, tend to be more open to a system in which we all pay in, in the form of taxes, to fund social services like health care, education, and welfare.\n\nIf it clarifies things for you (or perhaps simply as a suggestion for further reading), I'd say that Robert Nozick, a libertarian, is a very good example of republican-style thought, whereas John Rawls would be much more of a democratic-style thinker -- major contrast between the two of them.
704310
Democrats are liberals and they like gay marriages and abortion.\nRepublicans are conservatives but they like war just like the invasion of Iraq.
824480
This is actually close to the description I use to illustrate the basic difference between Republicans and Democrats:\n\nDemocrats will help feed the people fish.\nRepublicans will teach people to fish.\n\nThis philosophy is kind of a touchstone on how to think about the parties. Democrats are all about the individual, providing for one person at a time, reading to them. Republicans want to help the larger class of people, thus will provide teaching to help the people make their own way.
830718
Democrats believe in taxation and wealth redistribution. They believe the Government is the solution to every problem.\n\nRepublicans believe that business helps spread wealth. They believe the individual is the solution to the problems they face.\n\nThe difference between left and right........... just shows how well the dumbing down of America has worked!
876409
If you go back and review the begining of these parties you can see the differences.\n\nRepublicans tend to be more concerned about religion and commerce.\n\nDemocrats are more concerned about civil liberties and human rights.\n\nThe other parties dont fail to attract more voters, theyres simply variations of either rep. or dem. parties. Thats why theyre absorbed by them, and supported by them.\n\nIts simply just two school of thoughts. much like there are tw school of thoughts in any other aspect of life.