https://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/14-things-bernie-sanders-has-said-about-socialism-120265
- In the summer 1986 issue of a now-defunct magazine called Vermont Affairs: “All that socialism means to me, to be very frank with you, is democracy with a small ‘d.’ I believe in democracy, and by democracy I mean that, to as great an extent as possible, human beings have the right to control their own lives. And that means that you cannot separate the political structure from the economic structure. One has to be an idiot to believe that the average working person who’s making $10,000 or $12,000 a year is equal in political power to somebody who is the head of a large bank or corporation. So if you believe in political democracy, if you believe in equality, you have to believe in economic democracy as well.”
This is the thing that worries me. Him saying that you cant separate the political structure and the economic structure screams socialism. Thats a very socialist view honestly, because socialist want the people to own the means of production. Believing in economic democracy is very much what socialism is.
As a caviot, this is from 1986. Its very old. I honestly cant find him saying his point of view on this topic in current times, one way or another. He hasnt said anything so far that points towards changing his mind from back then from what I can tell. The policy he currently supports are all still align with his views on democratic socialism.
Now I will say I voted bernie. I cant say I 100% support him on this VERY important topic, but sadly their arnt any main stream social democrats that I can see. Its either democrat, or democratic socialist. This is largely because back in the 80s the social democratic party merged with the democratic socialist party, and democratic socialist became the main view.
But the reason I voted for him is because I also havnt seen him saying in his policy to have any major restructuring plans of the economy outside of my social democratic views. He might believe that workers should own the right of production, but he hasnt put forth any policy ideas that make that radical change. And thats probably because democratic socialists believe in gradual and peaceful changes towards socialism. If they move the country more towards the social democratic side, then thats also one step close to socialism even if its not all the way their yet.
But, I have seen nothing that shows that he has changed from democratic socialist to social democrat. His policy 100% still align with democratic socialist views. Its just not extreme enough to go full socialist, but that is in line with the parties goal for the current political climate.