Social Democracy Empowers People

In the global arena of politics, social democracy stands as a beacon of hope, advocating a system that prioritises the well-being of its citizens over narrow economic interests. This progressive approach to governance emphasises the importance of social justice, equality, and inclusivity, resonating deeply with the aspirations of people both in Nepal and around the world. A social democratic state model is like a recipe for countries struggling for economic equality. It calls for a strong and capable government crucial for overcoming tensions among the government leadership, big businesses, and common people who feel neglected by neoliberalism.

For countries in the global south, the adoption of social democracy helps overcome entrenched poverty and inequality. Some people argue that it's an expensive system, but if a country has some level of social democracy, it can be able to solve problems like crime, economic crisis, and unrest. Even just having basic attributes of social democracy is more affordable than dealing with challenges in the aftermath of not having it. To make social democracy work, it's essential to involve workers and other important groups in decision-making. Research shows that when workers have a say in how things are run at their workplaces, decisions turn out better, and productivity goes up. This isn't just true for industries like manufacturing; it also applies to service industries, agriculture, and even gig economy jobs. Everyone should have a voice in shaping their working conditions and their future.

Political ideology

At its core, social democracy represents a political ideology that seeks to balance the principles of socialism and liberalism, advocating for a mixed economy where the state plays a significant role in regulating markets and implementing social welfare programmes. It emphasises the importance of economic equality, social justice, and democratic governance, aiming to create a society where every individual has access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and social security. The best way to introduce social democracy is to discuss basic rights and to make clear that a certain level of social democracy is a condition for stability and progress.

Exclusionary system always creates political, economic, and social instability, giving rise to undemocratic and authoritarian forms of government, which can serve the interest of a few and can be used as instrument to consolidate power and wealth by the elites and the authoritarian leaders. Social democracy primarily advocates social rights and fairness that promotes the legal and material conditions of freedom. 

In Nepal, where socio-economic disparities and political instability rule the roost, the principles of social democracy hold relevance. With a diverse population comprising various ethnicities, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds, the call for inclusive policies that uplift marginalised communities and ensure equal opportunities for all is louder than ever. Social democracy means prioritising investments in education, healthcare, and social welfare programmes. Political systems of regional cooperation are also highly relevant given the weaknesses in current international cooperation frameworks. Many aspirations that cannot yet run worldwide today can be incubated at the regional level. As world-leading social democrat Willy Brandt says, a democratic world government or governance is achieved when the different regional systems of political cooperation cooperate with each other. These regional systems of cooperation are the building blocks for a democratic world order and active global civil society.

History is a witness to the fact that the leaders in the Global South have experimented with social democracy after attaining independence or ending conflict.  For example, social democratic parties emerged in Argentina and Uruguay in the early 1900s. President José Batlle y Ordónez established social democratic system in Uruguay with policies that persisted until such a regime was interrupted with a coup in 1973. When re-democratisation took place in 1985, these social democratic policies were adopted again. By the 1980s, the world saw the resurgence of neoliberalism-driven globalisation. While this proved to be a period of retreat in the social democracies in core countries like Denmark, Sweden and Germany, it also hit other nations aspiring for social democracy.

Neoliberal globalisation meant unrestricted flow of trade, capital, investment, and even labour around the world. Foreign investments play key roles in economic development. Finally, the lack of meaningful democracy in politics and governance in many countries in the global south largely limits the possibility of social democratic reforms. Surely, populist and clientelist leaders might emerge here and there, but without the programmatic approach to social justice and equity any measure containing certain semblance to social democracy would be temporary.

At the heart of social democracy lie the roles of both the people and their leaders. Citizens play a crucial role as active participants in the democratic process, exercising their right to vote, voice their concerns, and hold elected officials accountable. In Nepal, this means engaging in civic education and grassroots organising to demand policies that address the needs of the most vulnerable segments of society. Meanwhile, leaders have a responsibility to govern with empathy, integrity, and a commitment to the common good. They must prioritise social welfare over corporate interests, championing policies that bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, and fostering an inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 

Decision-making processes

Democratic leaders reflect communitarianism and how larger portions of communities are included in decision-making processes. This can be seen across different types of societies but in different forms. Some societies possess democratic characteristics (like elections) but its economic structures only perpetuate political and economic elites being voted by elections. Antonio Gramsci states, “The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters.” The modern society is looking for its progressive leaders who are molded by theory and sharpened by praxis to slay the monsters the old world has produced, and to lay the foundation of the new world that will rise. 

As Nepal is heading on the path of inclusive democracy and development, embracing the principles of social democracy offers a roadmap for building a more just and prosperous society. By empowering people and transforming leadership, we can create a future where every citizen has the chance to live a dignified life, free from poverty, discrimination, and inequality. In this pursuit, let us heed the call of social democracy and work together to build a brighter tomorrow for Nepal and the world. 

 (The author is Nepal Student Union TU President and Ph.D. scholar)