This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the enduring principles of social democracy alongside the conduct and teachings of the Commander of the Faithful (Imam Ali [AS]), seeking to identify points of convergence and divergence between a modern intellectual-political model and a religious-historical model regarding social justice and governance. By conceptually distinguishing "government" from "governance," the study focuses on the mechanisms and principles governing the just administration of society and the regulation of the relationship between power, public rights, and the public interest. Employing an analytical-com The findings indicate that social democracy rests on principles such as equality of opportunity, the reduction of socio-economic inequalities, support for vulnerable groups, and an active state role in ensuring social justice. In contrast, within the thought and conduct of the Commander of the Faithful (AS), justice is not merely a social policy or a tool of governance; rather, it is rooted in divine and ethical foundations, manifesting in the distribution of the public treasury (*Bayt al-Mal*), the observance of public rights, the oversight of officials, the combating of discrimination, and support for the underprivileged. Ultimately, the study concludes that—despite fundamental differences in epistemological foundations, objectives, and historical contexts—there is significant overlap between the enduring principles of social democracy and certain principles and mechanisms of "Alavi governance" (the governance of Imam Ali), particularly in the realms of social justice, the protection of public rights, and the reduction of inequality; however, this overlap does not imply an identity between the foundations and models of the two systems.