Future of social democracy: views of leaders from around the World

Does 'left of centre' necessarily mean political marginalisation? It began to seem so with the steady rise of the Right over the past 25 years. Recently, however, there has been a turnaround. Over the last two years, social democratic parties have been elected to government in Britain, France, and Germany. They now control government alone, or in coalition with other left-leaning parties, in thirteen of the fifteen states of the European Economic Community.

This kind of global movement requires global communication. Political scientist Peter Russell has heeded the demand by bringing together ten former leaders of social democratic parties and governments from four continents to express their views on the agenda of social democracy for the next century.

Whatever the trends in political power, one thing remains consistent: the Left's capacity for critical self-reflection, which certainly makes for great reading. Despite having emerged from the trenches of politics, the essayists are remarkably open, prescient, and nimble. With realistic optimism they accept the existing market economy and inescapable globalization, but challenge neo-liberalism's absolute faith in market solutions, and present a strong case for humane public intervention to ensure that increases in wealth are directed to fulfilling the highest potential for all humankind.

The results of this unprecedented meeting of minds inspired contributor Ed Broadbent, former national leader of the Canada's New Democratic Party, to organize a meeting of these minds. On November 20th, 1999, a major conference to launch the ideas and bring together these eminent figures was held at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. The conference marked a turning point in the evolution of democratic socialism, neither friend nor foe of social democracy can now afford to be without this book.