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The point I was trying to convey is that the only democratic socialist countries that I'm aware of are rich off of either abundant natural resources or rent-seeking from more exploitative countries like the US. Is it a sustainable model for poor countries too? Historically they've fallen into autocracy. I want it to work everywhere because I believe in justice, but I can't prove it with math or precedent.
Firstly, just know that the formula "democratic socialist" is itself almost an Americanism (although it's true that Orwell used it). In the rest of the world it sounds suspiciously similar to what the former communist countries of eastern Europe called themselves. And they were most certainly not democracies.
Outside the USA the usual term is "social democracy". That's what the Scandinavian model called itself. Past tense intended.
For examples of successful, free, and equal societies, I would suggest that the best examples are indeed in northern Europe, with a handful of special mentions like NZ or Japan. The HDI is surely the best indicator.
Of countries that have historically used the word "socialist" to describe their political systems, with or without "democratic" thrown in, none are places that you would want to live.