The problem is just that: they use the terms for their own ends.<p>For example, North Korea is officially named &quot;Democratic People&#x27;s Republic of Korea&quot;. I dunno what sort of harsh totalitarian regime is democratic and the people&#x27;s!<p>Another example: the UK Labour party states it is a democratic socialist party. I don&#x27;t think the premiership of Blair&#x2F;Brown can be described as anything like that. I&#x27;m sure this is the case for many Labour parties across Europe (except for the UK, as of recent, that is...)