Democratic socialism is dying. First the socialism, now the democracy
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/12/democratic-socialism-dying-first-socialism-then-democracy/
Janet Daley:
So what went wrong? Why are our attempts to create an ethically acceptable state, funded by free markets (which is the definition of democratic socialism) becoming untenable? As the identity crisis of the West becomes more deranging, both halves of this idealistic formula – democracy and socialism – are becoming contentious.
The socialism part has simply turned out to be infinitely expensive. As Kemi Badenoch put it last week, the UK is now in danger of becoming “a welfare state with an economy attached”. Once the principle of relieving poverty became a commitment to removing all wealth inequality, the project was headed for self-destruction.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/12/democratic-socialism-dying-first-socialism-then-democracy/
Janet Daley:
So what went wrong? Why are our attempts to create an ethically acceptable state, funded by free markets (which is the definition of democratic socialism) becoming untenable? As the identity crisis of the West becomes more deranging, both halves of this idealistic formula – democracy and socialism – are becoming contentious.
The socialism part has simply turned out to be infinitely expensive. As Kemi Badenoch put it last week, the UK is now in danger of becoming “a welfare state with an economy attached”. Once the principle of relieving poverty became a commitment to removing all wealth inequality, the project was headed for self-destruction.
Related:
The left’s losing streak
https://www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2025/07/the-lefts-losing-streak
Why populists keep winning and what progressives should do about it.
https://www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2025/07/the-lefts-losing-streak
Why populists keep winning and what progressives should do about it.