Is democratic socialism the same as communism?

No.

Democratic socialism is not the same as communism. Both stem from socialist theory but differ in their goals and methods.

Democratic socialism combines political democracy with public, cooperative or state ownership of key industries while maintaining elections, civil liberties and pluralism. It seeks to reduce inequality and ensure that wealth and power serve the public good through taxation, regulation and social programs.

Communism, rooted in Marxist theory, envisions a classless, stateless society where all property is collectively owned. In practice, communist states have often used centralized, one-party government control to pursue those aims.

Democratic socialism rejects that model, seeking reform through democratic institutions rather than revolution. It remains grounded in democratic governance while pursuing broader social welfare and economic equality.

No country is purely democratic socialist, but Sweden, Norway and Denmark reflect its principles through strong social welfare systems and democratic governance. China and Cuba are examples of communist countries.

This fact brief is in response to online conversations such as this one.

Sources:
TIME, “What Is Democratic Socialism? How It Differs From Communism.”
Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Democratic Socialism.”
Investopedia, “Communism vs. Socialism: What’s the Difference?”
Wikipedia, “Democratic socialism.”