1. A commitment to equality, a concept that does not exist in capitalist theory.

2. A strong moral dimension. Morality is another concept that plays no part in capitalist theory.

3. A commitment to democracy, which is often extended to a belief in industrial democracy (economic democracy), a concept alien to capitalists.

4. A commitment to human rights, civil rights, and workplace rights.

5. A commitment to a strong public sector, and a belief in the moral superiority of collective ownership.

6. A belief in a strong welfare state.

1. A commitment to democracy.

2. A commitment to human rights, civil rights, and workplace rights.

3. A commitment to social freedoms (social liberalism).

4. A belief in a more open economy; usually, belief in a mixed economy rather than a fully planned one.

1. A commitment to greater equality of wealth rather than merely equality of opportunity.

2. A commitment to a strong public sector, and a belief in the moral superiority of collective ownership.

3. A frequent sympathy with industrial democracy.

This words means "rule by the best" and refers to the theory that those who are most able should flourish. It is opposed by conservatives who believe in hereditary and established privileges and in maintaining the power of select cliques.

For socialists, meritocracy runs the risk of equation with "social Darwinism"; socialists believe that since people cannot help being born with the natural abilities or disabilities they have, the poor and the less able should be assisted by the more fortunate.

This word refers to the centralization of industry and control in the hands of the State. Common under Communist and fascist regimes, in the past democratic socialists have often wanted to move towards a more Statist system. However, it is important to point out:

- Statism in itself - for example, even massive government ownership of industry - does not necessarily constitute socialism. It constitutes socialism only if it is done with the intention (and effect?) of making a fairer and more democratic society, and arguably there must be some mechanism for economic democracy.

• Modern socialism frequently has more sympathy with ideas of decentralization and community ownership, and sees danger in centralizing too much power in the hands of the State.