Politics of Social Democracy

Rob Manwaring is Senior Lecturer in Politics and Public Policy at Flinders University, Australia.

"The Politics of Social Democracy is an important contribution to the growing literature on social democratic parties. It traces the ideological, policy and organizational evolution of centre-left parties over the past decades and explicitly addresses questions about social democracy's future. Scholars of social democracy, European politics and party politics more generally will find this book of immense value."Sheri Berman, Barnard College, Columbia University, USA."This book is a major contribution to scholarship on the fate of social democratic parties across the western democracies. It charts the rise and fall of centre-left politics, the structural forces that have undermined the electoral strengths of social democracy, and the major ideological and organisational dilemmas these parties now confront. A must-read for academics and practitioners alike."Patrick Diamond, Queen Mary, University of London, UK."Manwaring analyses both the key academic literature and crucial comparative data, successfully integrating the two in the process. A brilliant and insightful book that is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand contemporary social democracy and the electoral and policy dilemmas it faces." Carol Johnson, University of Adelaide, Australia."Manwaring’s book is an extremely well-researched and thorough account of social democracy. Theoretically inspired and wide-ranging in its outlook, it is a must-read for all who seek a better understanding of the social democratic party family."Kristian Steinnes, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway.

• 1. The Meaning of Social Democracy 2. The Ideology of Social Democracy 3. Ideological Dilemmas 4. Social Democracy and Policy Change 5. Dilemmas of Political Economy 6. Dilemmas of Welfare and Social Policy 7. Dilemmas of Immigration 8. Electoral Dilemmas 9. Dilemmas in Office 10. Organisational Dilemmas 11. The Next Wave of Social Democracy?