This title was first published in 2003. The creation of a 'Third Way' between unfettered capitalism and old-style Keynesian-corporatist forms of social democracy has become the driving force behind the policy programmes of many left-of-centre political parties in the industrialised nations of the world today. Sweden and the 'Third Way' critically evaluates this 'new' social democracy by examining the profound shift in Swedish political economy from being the prototype old-style social democracy towards the 'Third Way' synthesis of neo-liberalism and elements of traditional social democracy. Philip Whyman evaluates internal and external challenges to Swedish macroeconomic policy - including globalisation, European integration, post-Fordist technological change and the relative empowerment of capital - to discover the extent to which national economic autonomy is constrained. Furthermore, he considers the plausibility of revising the core elements of the traditional 'Swedish Model' as an alternative to the prevailing macroeconomic platform.
The notion of social policy as a productive investment and a prerequisite for economic growth became a core feature in the ideology of Swedish social democracy, and a central component of the universalism of the Swedish welfare state. However as the Swedish Social Democratic Party (SAP) embarked on its Third Way in 1981, this outlook on social policy as a productive investment was replaced by the identification of social policy as a cost and a burden for growth. This book discusses the components of this ideological turnaround from Swedish social democracy’s post-war notion of a strong society, to its notion of a Third Way in the early 1980s. It is a novel and innovative contribution to the history of Swedish social democracy and recent developments in the Swedish welfare state, and it also sheds light on contemporary social policy debates. It will appeal to a wide readership from students of contemporary history and politics to policy makers and specialists.
This book is important to help an international audience understand the cultural peculiarities behind the Scandinavian “success story”. It is also vital that Scandinavians themselves read this book to help them understand the market reforms that are essential for a successful future.
This title was first published in 2003. The creation of a 'Third Way' between unfettered capitalism and old-style Keynesian-corporatist forms of social democracy has become the driving force behind the policy programmes of many left-of-centre political parties in the industrialised nations of the world today. Sweden and the 'Third Way' critically evaluates this 'new' social democracy by examining the profound shift in Swedish political economy from being the prototype old-style social democracy towards the 'Third Way' synthesis of neo-liberalism and elements of traditional social democracy. Philip Whyman evaluates internal and external challenges to Swedish macroeconomic policy - including globalisation, European integration, post-Fordist technological change and the relative empowerment of capital - to discover the extent to which national economic autonomy is constrained. Furthermore, he considers the plausibility of revising the core elements of the traditional 'Swedish Model' as an alternative to the prevailing macroeconomic platform.
Between 1974 and 1990 more than thirty countries in southern Europe, Latin America, East Asia, and Eastern Europe shifted from authoritarian to democratic systems of government. This global democratic revolution is probably the most important political trend in the late twentieth century. In The Third Wave, Samuel P. Huntington analyzes the causes and nature of these democratic transitions, evaluates the prospects for stability of the new democracies, and explores the possibility of more countries becoming democratic. The recent transitions, he argues, are the third major wave of democratization in the modem world. Each of the two previous waves was followed by a reverse wave in which some countries shifted back to authoritarian government. Using concrete examples, empirical evidence, and insightful analysis, Huntington provides neither a theory nor a history of the third wave, but an explanation of why and how it occurred. Factors responsible for the democratic trend include the legitimacy dilemmas of authoritarian regimes; economic and social development; the changed role of the Catholic Church; the impact of the United States, the European Community, and the Soviet Union; and the "snowballing" phenomenon: change in one country stimulating change in others. Five key elite groups within and outside the nondemocratic regime played roles in shaping the various ways democratization occurred. Compromise was key to all democratizations, and elections and nonviolent tactics also were central. New democracies must deal with the "torturer problem" and the "praetorian problem" and attempt to develop democratic values and processes. Disillusionment with democracy, Huntington argues, is necessary to consolidating democracy. He concludes the book with an analysis of the political, economic, and cultural factors that will decide whether or not the third wave continues. Several "Guidelines for Democratizers" offer specific, practical suggestions for initiating and carrying out reform. Huntington's emphasis on practical application makes this book a valuable tool for anyone engaged in the democratization process. At this volatile time in history, Huntington's assessment of the processes of democratization is indispensable to understanding the future of democracy in the world.
The Third Way is said to be the guiding philosophy for New Labour and center-left parties and governments across the globe. Moving beyond attempts to define and defend the Third Way, this innovative collection embarks on a critical examination of this key concept. The editors draw on expert contributions from a range of disciplines and perspectives to dissect the Third Way in theory and in practice, assess its legacy and suggest alternatives. The book begins by reviewing attempts to define the Third Way. It then examines what the Third Way implies for our understanding of the economy and the state, before critically addressing the philosophical and practical implications of its attempt to use the term "community." The final section deconstructs Third Way rhetoric and discourse. The conclusion reviews how these critical insights might form a basis for alternative political projects.
The apparent success of a 'new' variant of social democracy has created considerable interest in the Third Way. This book synthesizes a core economic strategy from the most significant Third Way administrations. It explores the theoretical foundations to Third Way Economics , before evaluating its economic strategy against conclusions drawn from contemporary economics literature and the relative performance of contemporary left-of-centre governments. It additionally contrasts Third Way Economics with more traditional social democratic economic policy in adapting to the challenges posed by today's economy.
Sweden's Social Democratic movement is widely regarded as the most successful of its kind in the world. Its success is often attributed to its pragmatism rather than its consistent ideological commitment. This book argues that, on the contrary, Sweden's distinctive economic and social policies cannot be understood apart from the ideological convictions of several generations of political leaders and thinkers. Examining the thinking of major figures in Swedish Social Democracy (including Hjalmar Branting, Gunnar Myrdal, and Olof Palme), this book provides the first up-to-date survey of the party's ideological development from its origins in the 1880s until the present.
