The Future Of European Social Democracy

European social democracy is in crisis. In the last decade it has ceased to be about either society or democracy. The authors explore its values, how it can be revived and what kind of political economy it requires to thrive. This book includes a foreword by the two leaders of the 'Building the Good Society' project, Andrea Nahles and Jon Cruddas.

The social democratic parties were once the strongest political forces in Europe. Today, however, they appear disorientated and rudderless, crucially lacking the ideological, intellectual and organisational vitality which underpinned their strength in the post-war political landscape. Electorally marginalised, seemingly ideologically exhausted and often out-of-step with the contemporary zeitgeist, European social democracy is currently in profound need of revision and renewal - potentially its very existence as a political force is under threat. This book marks a serious attempt to forge the intellectual backbone of a renewed social democracy fit for the twenty-first century. Bringing together leading academics, political thinkers and policy experts, it offers a new and original perspective on ideological and policy innovation and will be invaluable reading for anyone interested in the future of social democracy.

In Today S Globalized World, Two Forces Are Competing For Dominance In Countries Governed By The Rule-Of-Law: Liberation Democracy And Social Democracy. For Liberation Democracy The Essential Constituents Of Social Freedom Are To Be Found In Self-Regulated Markets And The Unrestricted Right To Private Property. Social Democracy, On The Other Hand, Underlines The Importance Not Only Of Civil And Political Rights, But Also Basic Social And Economic Rights. It Calls For Social Safeguards To Be Regarded A Fundamental Right, Promotes Social Inclusion And Accords Priority To Political Responsibility Over Market Forces. As Economic And Social Risks Multiply In A Globalized World, Social Democracy Has A Role To Play Not Only Within Individual Societies But Also In Shaping The World Order As A Whole. This Books Shows Different Ways In Which Social Democracy Can Be Designed To Meet Future Needs. It Compares Various Models Of Social Democracy And Their Respective Contributions Towards The Legitimacy And Stability Of The Democratic Order.

The nature of social democracy in the countries of the European Union is more significant and better understood than is indicated by the available literature. This thought-provoking handbook aims to redress this disparity by bringing together Political scientists from across Europe to provide a definitive collection on social democracy in the EU.

Does 'Left of Centre' Necessarily Mean Political Marginalisation? It began to seem so with the steady rise of the Right over the past 25 years. Recently, however, there has been a turnaround. Over the last two years, social democratic parties have been elected to government in Britain, France, and Germany. They now control government alone, or in coalition with other left-leaning parties, in thirteen of the fifteen states of the European Economic Community. This kind of global movement requires global communication. Political scientist Peter Russell has heeded the demand by bringing together ten former leaders of social democratic parties and governments from four continents to express their views on the agenda of social democracy for the next century. Whatever the trends in political power, one thing remains consistent: the Left's capacity for critical self-reflection. Having emerged from the trenches of politics, the essayists in this collection are remarkably open, prescient, and nimble. With realistic optimism, they accept the existing market economy and inescapable globalization, but challenge neo-liberalism's absolute faith in market solutions, and present a strong case for humane public intervention to ensure that increases in wealth are directed to fulfilling the highest potential for all humankind. The result of this unprecedented meeting of minds inspired contributor Ed Broadbent, former national leader of the Canada's New Democratic Party, to organize a meeting of these minds. On November 20th, 1999, a major conference to launch the ideas and bring together these eminent figures was held at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. The conference marked a turning point inthe evolution of democratic socialism; neither friend nor foe of social democracy can afford to be without this book.

Social democracy is in a process of change as a number of developments challenge its organizational, ideational and electoral basis. This book elaborates on how social democracy should be understood under these changing circumstances, how social democratic parties have responded and what future trajectories await.

He also explores what this new form of political activity means for European politics, arguing that the traditional positions of left and right may be becoming increasingly significant within the EU's evolving, transnational political culture.