More ideas for the future of social democracy

I offer here a number of points on the discussion.

Firstly, we need to focus on the future: ‘building the future’ needs to be considered as a main dimension of every part of our work. We need to underline constantly that we intend to build the future, just as we always keep in mind that we set out from human needs and freedoms. This is because society’s existing problems are numerous, and the consequences of people’s negative experiences need to be compensated for. This makes the approaches we adopt for addressing existing problems all the more critical. It requires particular care, sensitivity and foresight. Thus the ‘building’ component of the ‘Building the Good Society’ concept is very pertinent.

Secondly, this is a time for change, and this is our strength. Conservatives usually don’t like to assume the risks that new ideas and their implementation carry. Instead of confronting their tough consequences, they adopt and use the knowledge and experience produced once the risks have diminished, and the validity of the solutions found has been established – that is, when outcomes have emerged that do not require going beyond their profit and market priorities. This is due to their ideological constraint. Yet now is the time for innovative changes and taking such risks. There is a worldwide quest for innovations. If we fail to produce these, there will be a loss of confidence, and conservatism will gain further power.

Thirdly, the need for effective policies and measures against gender discrimination continues – although at varying degrees in different countries. This concern can be a distinguishing feature of social democracy, especially in a country such as Turkey. In Turkey women’s level of participation remains low, especially when considered alongside Turkey’s level of development. Except among academic staff, women are poorly represented in a whole range of areas, from education to the labour force, management and politics. This shows that gender discrimination does not disappear automatically with economic development, and that it is difficult to improve the situation without temporary special measures such as quotas, which conservative parties are usually reluctant to adopt.

Fourth, new instruments and measures are required to respond to the needs that stem from the changes and differentiations that have taken place in relation to labour markets, social aid and social insurance. Expanding flexible working systems – such as short-term contracts, agency work and subcontracting – tend to create large numbers of working poor. Some working systems are becoming identified with particular social groups, for example part-time work with women, home-based work with migrants and women. This has a restrictive effect on social inclusion. To overcome this effect, apart from life-long learning, which strengthens people, there is a need for reforms in labour market rules, social aid and social insurance systems. One of the main reasons for this is that generally, although the effects vary from country to country, existing systems do not provide sufficient protection to the working poor from different social groups.

Fifth, the ‘care economy’ needs to be considered as an area of social development, solidarity and participation. Apart from its labour market aspect, the care economy also constitutes an area of social responsibility that has the potential to enhance confidence into the future. There is a need to adopt an approach in this area that goes beyond the context of women, family responsibilities and enterprises, to regard it as a significant indicator of the level of a state’s social responsibility. The care economy also provides new opportunities for participation at the local level, enabling the further development of our social-democratic values, and causing them to be adopted more extensively in society.

Sixth, our social-democratic parties can enhance their functions, and people’s trust in politics, by becoming platforms for attaining knowledge and facilitating the encounter between different demands. Today there are an enormous number of social movements and demands. For NGOs, creating the right environment for turning single demands into joint ones is a struggle that brings additional difficulties. However, they need to increase their network of relationships in order to share their experiences, including at the local level. And the multi-level nature of existing channels for the development of politics and rights also increases their difficulties. Social-democratic parties can fulfil a significant role here, in terms of overcoming the constraints in this domain, thereby upgrading the function of, and trust in, politics, as well as enhancing the social streams feeding them.