Democratic socialists believe that both the economy and society should be run democratically — to meet public needs, not to make profits for a few. To achieve a more just society, many structures of our government and economy should be transformed through greater economic and social democracy so that ordinary Americans can participate in the many decisions that affect our lives.
Few countries have been entirely socialist. Fox News commentators and other voices on the right conflate socialism with communism. Current progressive politicians are advocating democratic socialism, many aspects of which mirror successful reforms implemented in other democracies — taxation of billionaires, public health insurance, free post-secondary tuition, perhaps more government involvement in the energy sector, etc.