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Bernie Sanders 101 — socialist, democratic socialist, libertarian socialist or what?

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 17:  U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) listens during a news conference about private prisons September 17, 2015 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Sanders was joined by Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) to announce that they will introduce bills to ban private prisons.  (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) listens during a news conference about private prisons September 17, 2015 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC
(
Alex Wong/Getty Images
)
Listen 13:32
Bernie Sanders 101 — socialist, democratic socialist, libertarian socialist or what?

The cover of TIME magazine at the moment features an affable-looking Senator Bernie Sanders (I - VT) with shirtsleeves rolled up and the cheeky headline “Socialize this, America.”

It brings to mind the political label Sanders has used to describe himself, but some of his supporters run from: socialist. Analysis by PolitiFact.com says the presidential contender's politics are more akin to democratic socialism, but Reason magazine argues his platform has leanings of libertarian socialism, whatever that is.

What is the most accurate label for Bernie Sanders’ politics? How have these  political terms changed over time and do they mean different things to different people? How does it affect the viability of his campaign - now and later?

Guest:

Lori Cox Han, Professor of Political Science, Chapman University; Author, "In It to Win It: Electing Madam President" (Bloomsbury; 2015)

Peter Dreier, Professor of Political Science, Occidental College