The Third Way: The Renewal of Social Democracy [Paperback]

The "third way", in Britain, has come to be associated with the politics of Tony Blair and New Labour. And Anthony Giddens, the director of the London School of Economics and Political Science, is frequently referred to as Tony Blair's guru as he has made a strong impact on the evolution of New Labour. In The Third Way, he makes a contribution to the debate now going on in many countries about the future of social democratic politics. The reasons for the debate are obvious enough--the dissolution of the "welfare consensus" that dominated in the industrial countries up to the late 1970s; the final discrediting of Marxism, and the very profound social, economic and technological changes that helped bring these about. What should be done in response, and whether social democracy can survive at all as a distinctive political philosophy, are much less obvious. This slim book has been described by Ian Hargreaves, former editor of the New Statesman and The Independent, as being a "landmark" in laying the intellectual foundations of the centre-left position.

"Tony Giddens has made the most significant contribution yet to laying the intellectual foundations of a modernized centre-left position. This book will be a landmark. It is a pioneering work of vital interest to the formation of political thinking on both sides of the Atlantic."

"Tony Giddens, allegedly Tony Blair's favourite intellectual, has done what many considered impossible: he has constructed a coherent and persuasive definition of the third way. But importantly he has pulled it off, insisting that rather than being beyond left and right, it is part of the left, the renewal of social democracy. This book could be decisive in persuading the Blairites that they must look to the left rather than the right for their political future. It is an important and potentially very significant political intervention."

"How can democracies gain the benefits that flow from market forces while pursuing a community that cares for those who fall behind? Anyone interested in fresh approaches to such questions will have to read Tony Giddens′s new book. It is a feast of fresh ideas." Joseph S. Nye, Jr., Dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

"Tony Giddens, allegedly Tony Blair′s favourite intellectual, has done what many considered impossible: he has constructed a coherent and persuasive definition of the third way. But importantly he has pulled it off, insisting that rather than being beyond left and right, it is part of the left, the renewal of social democracy. This book could be decisive in persuading the Blairites that they must look to the left rather than the right for their political future. It is an important and potentially very significant political intervention." Will Hutton, Editor–in–Chief, the Observer

"Tony Giddens has made the most significant contribution yet to laying the intellectual foundations of a modernized centre–left position. This book will be a landmark. It is a pioneering work of vital interest to the formation of political thinking on both sides of the Atlantic." Ian Hargreaves, formerly Editor of New Statesman and The Independent

"This is an important book that deserves to be taken seriously ... the author puts forward an intellectual defence of Tony Blair′s politics which is engaging, comprehensive and open. It has a punchy style, and is written with a breathless excitement which makes it easy to read. The Third Way is a major contribution." The Stakeholder

"A worthwhile and stimulating read." Earth Matters

"Anthony Giddens has earned a considerable reputation among social scientists over the past three decades as a theorist. Though important within the academy, such reputations have a limited cachet in the world at large. Recently, though, Giddens has attained bona fide celebrity, or at least demicelebrity, status outside the cloisters, in his related roles as director of the London School of Economics and intellectual darling of British Prime Minister Tony Blair′s New Labour party. His name by now must be a household word in his native Britain, given the frequency with which he is mentioned in the media there. On this side of the Atlantic as well, he has been interviewed, cited as expert, and his ideas variously praised and panned in a wide variety of non–academic, even mainstream media." Christopher J. Richter, Communication Theory Book Review

"Giddens has constructed a coherent and persuasive ′intergrated political programme′" Harish Kapur, World Affairs

"This is an important book that deserves to be taken seriously ... the author puts forward an intellectual defence of Tony Blair's politics which is engaging, comprehensive and open. It has a punchy style, and is written with a breathless excitement which makes it easy to read. The Third Way is a major contribution."

The idea of finding a ′third way′ in politics has been widely discussed over recent months – not only in the UK, but in the US, Continental Europe and Latin America. But what is the third way? Supporters of the notion haven′t been able to agree, and critics deny the possibility altogether. Anthony Giddens shows that developing a third way is not only a possibility but a necessity in modern politics.

The idea of finding a "third way" in politics has been widely discussed – not only in the UK, but in the US, Continental Europe and Latin America. But what is the third way? Supporters of the notion haven′t been able to agree, and critics deny the possibility altogether. Anthony Giddens shows that developing a third way is not only a possibility but a necessity in modern politics. The third way represents the renewal of social democracy in a world where the views of the old left have become obsolete, while those of the new right are inadequate and contradictory. A new social democratic agenda is emerging that is integrated, robust and wide–ranging. It is an agenda that can rekindle political idealism.

The author′s previous works, especially"Beyond Left and Right" (Polity Press 1994), have influenced debates about the social democracy in many countries across the world. Frequently referred to in the UK as Tony Blair′s guru, Giddens has made a strong impact on the evolution of New Labour. The author or editor of over thirty books, he is currently the Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Anthony Giddens is Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science. He was formerly Professor of Sociology and Fellow of King's College at the University of Cambridge. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.