^ you can have a democratic socialism on a national level - the UK Labour Party is a socialist movement (though seemingly not over the past 10 years - from my own point of view) - and is currently in power in the UK.

You can vote them in, you can vote them out - no coersion - no one is imprisoned for having a different belief etc.

Local councils run government at a more accessible (and local) level - though there are corrupt and greedy politicians from all political parties - and differing beliefs.