Next Left Vol. 3

Book

“Towards a New Strategy” constitutes the 3rd Volume of the “Next Left”Books’ Series, of which the previous two: “Renewing Social Democracy – Contributions to a pan-European Debate” and “The Leaders’ Visions for Europe’s Future” were enthusiastically received respectively in 2009 and 2010. Presenting a handful of stimulating ideas, this book part represents a decisive shift of the focus: from critical analyses of the crisis of social democracy to a proposal on what it could become in order to be a leading political force in the 21st century.

The articles gathered here provide a solid synthesis of a year-long research, of which outcomes became an inspiration for progressive movement on both the national and the European levels. The material reflects the main threads of the 4 colloquiums that organized by FEPS together with Renner Institute took place in Brussels and gathered more than 150 high level participants. At the same time it also echoes 14 round tables that FEPS held in respective EU member states thanks to the cooperation with its member foundations, involving more than 2000 academics, politicians and experts. As such therefore, this book presents itself as a unique compilation of the points raised about the renewal of social democracy on all levels and across the continent.

“Towards a New Strategy” opens with a foreword by Dr. Alfred Gusenbauer, Chair of the “Next Left” Research Programme. Further the volume is covers four Chapters: “Responding to Contemporary Society”, “Our Values in a Changing World”, “A New Socio-Economic Paradigm” and “Mobilizing International Solidarity”. Coherently to diverse profiles of the authors and their various expertise, the structure and the tone of the respective texts differ: from longer elaborations to short and sharp statements; and from theoretical deliberations to concrete policy recommendations. This diversity is a very interesting character of the “Next Left” series, proving that a multifaceted approach is the key to success in ensuring the future for the progressive alliance in the 21st century.