Social Democracy in Power : The Capacity to Reform

by Merkel, Wolfgang; Petring, Alexander; Henkes, Christian; Egle, Christoph

• ISBN13: 9780203929063
• ISBN10: 0203929063
• Copyright: 2008-03-31
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Summary

Compares and explores how social democratic governments have had to adapt to globalization, European integration and social change; and whether they have successfully managed to uphold old social democratic goals and values in light of the devaluation of traditional policy instruments.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Challenges of Social Democracy

Globalization

European Integration

Social Change

Opportunity Structures: Actors, Institutions and Legacies

Introduction

The Party as Actor

Party Competition

Insitutional Variables

Unions and Collective Bargaining

The Welfare State

Political Legacy

Conclusion

United Kingdom

Introduction

Fiscal Policy: Anti-Cyclical Policy and Relief

For Low Incomes

Labor Market Policy: New Deals and a Hint

Of 'old Labour'social Policy: Targeted Expansion

Conclusion: Successful, But Social Democratic?

Germany

Introduction

Fiscal Policy: The Failure to Consolidate

Labor Market Policy: From Re-Regulation To

Flexibilization?

Social Policy: Stagnation and Suprising Reforms

Conclusion: Erratic Policies and Enduring Problems

France

Introduction

Fiscal Policy: Redistribution and Tax Cuts

Labor Market Policy: Failure of Traditional

Instruments

Social Policy: The Unwillingness to Reform

Conclusion: Left-Wing, but Unsuccessful

The Netherlands

Introduction

Fiscal Policy: Consolidation by Design

Labor Market Policy: The Dutch Job Miracle

Social Policy: The End of Bipartism?

Conclusion: Pragmatic, Successful - Andelctoral Defeat

Sweden

Introduction

Fiscal Policy: Consolidation and Expansion

Labor Market Policy: Focus on Education

Social Policy: Defending the Welfare State

Conclusion: A Social Democratic Model Once Again

Denmark

Introduction

Fiscal Policy: A Two-Step Approach

Labor Market Policy: A New Paradigm

Social Policy: Continous Upgrading

Conclusion: 'accidental' Liberalism,Deliberate Statism

Social Democratic Policies In Comparison

Introduction

Convergence and Divergence

A New Revisionism?

Opportunity Structures Matter

Prospects For Social Democratic Reforms

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