Democratic socialism, once heralded as a pragmatic middle path between unbridled capitalism and authoritarian Marxism, now faces rigorous scholarly scrutiny. Academic discourse reveals not a failure of ideals per se, but a profound misalignment between theoretical blueprints and the complex realities of governance. Over the past two decades, a growing body of peer-reviewed research exposes structural limitations embedded in democratic socialist frameworks—limitations not inherent to the vision itself, but to its implementation under capitalist hegemony and democratic constraints.

Theoretical Foundations vs.

Understanding the Context

Political Feasibility

Further, the assumption that democratic socialism can scale without undermining electoral viability has been challenged. A 2019 meta-analysis of 37 left-wing governments found that sustained support hinges on delivering tangible short-term benefits—policies that, paradoxically, deepen reliance on existing economic structures. In Spain under Podemos, for instance, attempts to nationalize key utilities were scaled back after public backlash over inflation and tax hikes. The lesson?