“All that socialism means to me, to be very frank with you, is democracy with a small 'd.' I believe in democracy, and by democracy, I mean that, to as great an extent as possible, human beings have the right to control their own lives. And that means that you cannot separate the political structure from the economic structure.”

American politician and independent senator from Vermont, first elected in 2006. A progressive voice in U.S. politics, he advocates for economic equality, healthcare reform, and social justice, framing policy through a democratic socialist lens. His candid, uncompromising style has made him a defining figure in modern American political discourse.