A democratic socialist is someone who supports an economic and political philosophy called democratic socialism. This philosophy advocates for political democracy combined with a socially owned economy, emphasizing economic democracy, workplace democracy, and workers' self-management. Democratic socialists believe capitalism is fundamentally incompatible with values like freedom, equality, and solidarity, and that these values can only be realized through a socialist society. Democratic socialism differs from Marxist-Leninist communism, which democratic socialists reject for being authoritarian and bureaucratic. It also differs from social democracy, which accepts capitalism and seeks to regulate and mitigate its effects through welfare programs and state regulation. Democratic socialists seek to transform the economy from capitalism to socialism, often supporting public or cooperative ownership of production, and democratic control in workplaces and society. While many democratic socialists favor a gradual transition through reforms, some support revolutionary means to achieve socialism. The ultimate goal is a decentralized, democratically managed socialist system where ordinary people have a real voice in workplaces, communities, and government. In short, a democratic socialist supports the replacement of capitalism with a democratic socialist economy that prioritizes collective ownership, political democracy, and workers' self-management, aiming for a more equitable and free society. This ideology rejects authoritarian socialism and focuses on democratic participation and economic justice.