The Third Way And New Liberalism

The idea of finding a 'third way' in politics has been widely discussed over recent months - not only in the UK, but in the US, Continental Europe and Latin America. But what is the third way? Supporters of the notion haven't been able to agree, and critics deny the possibility altogether. Anthony Giddens shows that developing a third way is not only a possibility but a necessity in modern politics.

Tony Blair sets out his vision of the "Third Way" as a modernized social democracy. He makes the case for a dynamic economy based on individual empowerment and opportunity; a strong civil society enshrining rights and responsibilities; and a foreign policy furthering international co-operation.

Since 1965, Singapore has been propelled to the dizzying heights of first-world prosperity. Yet, the People's Action Party's signature style of technocratic elitism has come under increasing criticism by a new generation of left-leaning progressive scholars and activists condemning the excesses of neoliberalism. The PAP's mode of governance that prioritizes economic growth is criticised in favour of a vaguely European-style welfare state and greater state intervention.Bryan Cheang and Donovan Choy break this traditional pro-PAP versus anti-PAP dichotomy by providing a fresh classical liberal perspective. The authors contend that both sides discern only parts of the political puzzle correctly. This book envisions a new path forward for Singapore's policy-making, one characterised by greater competition & freedom. It critiques the conservative-right through a fresh take on the philosophical underpinnings of the 'Singapore Consensus': communitarianism, meritocracy and technocracy. The authors also engage with the new social democratic orthodoxy, demonstrating the dangers of egalitarian interventions & state-based environmentalism.Applying the interdisciplinary insights of political philosophy and political economy, this novel account recommends epistemic liberalism, a system of governance based on intellectual humility, limited government, and decentralisation.

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2006 in the subject Politics - Political Systems - General and Comparisons, grade: 1,2, The University of Sydney, 7 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: The concept of the "third way" stands broadly for an alternative middle way between two extreme positions. Known as "third way" is a middle form of socialism and capitalism, e.g. competition socialism, or new concepts of politics and economics, e.g. the free economy or the ordoliberalism. This shows that the "third way" can focus on economic, political and also cultural aspects, basically a mixture of it all. There are many different definitions for the "third way" of social democracy. This is on one side because the discussion about that is already happening for a long time and on the other because it is not lead uniformly. The term already appeared in context with the Euro communism or the "socialism of human countenance" (Alexander Dubcek) of the Prague Spring. But in that case it was always meant to be a middle way between communism and existing socialism. In the seventies of the 20th century the concept of "tredje vagen," the "third way" was shaped by Sweden's social democratic party and Olaf Palme (then prime minister of Sweden). However, the concept of today's "third way" is a middle course between unstrained turbo capitalism of neo-liberal stamping and the welfare state of Keynesian traditional stamping.

The idea of finding a 'third way' in politics has become a focus of discussion across the world. Political leaders, in the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America claim to be following its principles. Yet the notion has also attracted much criticism. Some say it is an empty concept without any real content. Critics from the more traditional left argue that it is a betrayal of left-wing ideals. Anthony Giddens's The Third Way (Polity Press, 1998) is regarded by many as the key text of third way politics. Translated into twenty-five languages, it has shaped the development of the third way. In this new book Giddens responds to the critics, and further develops the ideas set out in his earlier volume. Far from being unable to deal with inequalities of wealth and power, he shows, third way politics offers the only feasible approach to these issues. The work is indispensable for anyone who wants to understand the most important political debate going on today. Anthony Giddens is the Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is the author or editor of over thirty books. His previous works, especially Beyond Left and Right (Polity Press, 1994) have influenced debates about the future of social democracy in many countries across the world. Frequently referred to in the UK as Tony Blair's guru, Giddens has made a strong impact on the evolution of New Labour.

The Third Way enjoyed a dramatic success when it first appeared in the late 1990s. The book helped to provide inspiration for left-of-centre parties in a variety of different countries around the world, and many incorporated elements from it into their political programmes. Its influence in Britain was particularly strong and the author worked closely with successive Blair governments in the formulation of social and economic policy. But all governments have their own agendas, and they interpreted and adapted the ideas of The Third Way for their own purposes. In some circles the third way came to be seen as an endorsement of a market-driven approach to politics. The new edition of this classic text includes an extended Preface in which Giddens clarifies the original intent of The Third Way and analyses some of the major developments in political and economic life in the decade since the book first appeared. 'The third way' was always a label for the renewal of social democracy: the point was to update social democracy in the face of far-reaching social and economic change, especially transformations brought about by the intensifying of globalization. Giddens argued that we need to go beyond the two main traditions which dominated post-War thinking in the industrial countries - the 'Old Left', on the one hand, and market fundamentalism, on the other. The Preface assesses the impact of New Labour and of parallel innovations in other countries, analyses the implications of the financial crisis for the further development of social democratic thought and considers how far the arguments of the Third Way retain their relevance today. 'What's left?' - the question is as pressing today, and as difficult to answer, as it was a decade or more ago.

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2006 in the subject Politics - Political Systems - General and Comparisons, grade: 1,2, The University of Sydney, language: English, abstract: The concept of the “third way” stands broadly for an alternative middle way between two extreme positions. Known as “third way” is a middle form of socialism and capitalism, e.g. competition socialism, or new concepts of politics and economics, e.g. the free economy or the ordoliberalism. This shows that the “third way” can focus on economic, political and also cultural aspects, basically a mixture of it all. There are many different definitions for the “third way” of social democracy. This is on one side because the discussion about that is already happening for a long time and on the other because it is not lead uniformly. The term already appeared in context with the Euro communism or the “socialism of human countenance” (Alexander Dubcek) of the Prague Spring. But in that case it was always meant to be a middle way between communism and existing socialism. In the seventies of the 20th century the concept of “tredje vägen”, the “third way” was shaped by Sweden’s social democratic party and Olaf Palme (then prime minister of Sweden). However, the concept of today’s “third way” is a middle course between unstrained turbo capitalism of neo-liberal stamping and the welfare state of Keynesian traditional stamping.

This book provides a powerful critique of the case made for 'globalisation', with particular emphasis placed on neo-liberalism, the third way, and the hegemonic role of the US state. It then examines the rise of 'anti-globalisation' politics and the debate over progressive alternatives to 'actually existing globalisation'.