“When we talk about the word 'socialism,' I think what it really means is just democratic participation in our economic dignity and our economic, social, and racial dignity. It is about direct representation and people actually having power and stake over their economic and social wellness, at the end of the day.”

American politician and activist, since 2019

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, known as AOC, is an American politician and activist who has served since 2019 as the U.S. representative for New York's 14th congressional district. She is a member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America. She has built her public profile around electoral politics and activism, with her congressional work placing her among the more closely watched figures in contemporary American politics. Her statements often reflect the priorities of her political work and the broader causes she supports through public advocacy.