The philosophy of the New Democratic Party is democratic socialism. It is a philosophy based on the twin values of human co-operation and individual liberty. It is a philosophy New Democrats share with social democrats throughout the world. Democratic socialism is an international movement for freedom, social justice and solidarity. Its goal is to achieve a peaceful world where these basic values can be enhanced and where each individual can live a meaningful life with the full development of his or her personality and talents and with the guarantee of human and civil rights in a democratic framework of society.
Individual rights are fundamental to the values of socialism.
Democracy and human rights are also the substance of popular power, and the indispensable mechanism whereby people can control the economic structures which have so long dominated them. Without democracy, social policies cannot disguise the dictatorial character of government. Freedom from arbitrary and dictatorial government is essential. The New Democratic Party believes that social, economic and political progress in Canada and around the world can only be assured by the application of democratic socialist principles to government and the administration of public affairs. NDP members control their party.