Tag archive for ‘social justice’
Squalid Isolation – Social Cohesion, Quality of Life and Losing the Ties that Bind
A few weeks ago I called on social democracy to come to terms with the fact that many of its voters are not on loan to other parties, but for the most part gone for good. One of the key problems behind this, I argued, is that the traditional bases of all mass parties are [...]
The Greek Drama and the Social Justice of Responsible Fiscal Policies
I do not envy our Greek socialist friends. They got elected because the previous conservative government was catastrophically incompetent, but the mess they now have to sort out is worse than the wildest imaginations could have predicted. This is not just a local problem. The fate of the euro, and therefore of Europe, hangs in [...]
Overcoming the Economic Recession with Green Policies: An Opportunity we cannot afford to miss!
There is no need to choose between environmental protection, economic development and social justice. A socially just and environmentally sustainable future where markets serve the people and economic growth respects the planet is possible. I hope that the Conference of the parties in Copenhagen will lead the world forward along the path to a true [...]
Can The State Still Be Saved?
The state is crucial for the promotion of social justice, and must be defended from its many detractors. After eleven years in government, the German Social Democrats are now having to cope with their greatest electoral defeat in the post-war period. On the day of the election there was a feeling almost of unbelief about [...]
Why Not Socialism?
‘Building the Good Society’ contains no mention of ‘socialism’. While its analysis promotes ideals of which all socialists would approve – ‘freedom and equality for all’; ‘equitable economic development for the good of all’; ‘solidarity and social justice’; ‘taking … utilities back into public ownership’ – the overall message is one of accommodation to capitalism, [...]
The Credibility Gap
Faith in politics is on the wane – particularly in social-democratic politics. The search for reasons for the disastrous defeat of the German social democrats in the September elections, and the poor prospects of parties of the left across Europe, has led to various and detailed explanations. Most of these are right in some respect, [...]
Finding a New Language and Making New Alliances
Social democrats must find a new common language, and learn how to work with new social constituencies. Any serious discussion of the future of social democracy needs to assess the recent historical fortunes of social-democratic parties in government across Europe as a whole, as well as the enduring credibility of its key ideas. What can [...]
The Future of Social Democracy
In spite of their rhetoric, the right’s solutions to the crisis will lead to ordinary people paying the costs. This past year has been overshadowed by the dark clouds of economic crisis. Ordinary people have taken many hard knocks. Unemployment is rising. Businesses are going bust. Homes have been repossessed. Pensions have been decimated by [...]
