The social democratic vision of society envisaged a world in which human beings control their circumstances rather than being controlled by them. One essential characteristic of such a society would be that it guaranteed its members a decent livelihood. Rather than large sections of the population being condemned to inactivity by recurring economic crisis, all those able to take up employment should have the possibility of doing so. Those who temporarily or permanently lack the ability to provide for themselves should be able to count on the solidarity of society to provide them with the means for a decent livelihood. The inability to work should not be a condemnation to live a marginalized existence. Sickness should not be an economic catastrophe and the health care received should be determined by need rather than by ability to pay. Likewise, education should be provided according to ability rather than according to social status or wealth. In addition, such a society should be democratic. A society that achieved freedom from economic want by subjecting its members to the whims of an overpowering state would defeat its own purpose. In short, the social democratic program aimed to reform the market economy so as to combine political and economic liberty.

During the first couple of decades after its birth in the second half of the nineteenth century, the social democratic struggle focused primarily on achieving political liberties.