NationStates Jolt Archive

Defined as a "third-way" between social democracy and neo-liberalism.

Which do you think it is closer to and why?

For me, Third-wayism is neo-liberalism in sheep clothing. It is not sustainable over the long term, because it relies on the flawed logic of neo-liberalism actually fighting itself. It is just a face-save for all those former Social Democrat style politicians who want to be pioneers in something.

This form of pragmatism is not sustainable over the long run, as the losers in the knowledge economy will soon outnumber the winners. Just as with neo-liberalism, Third-wayism will founder even more quickly because its citizens are educated to see its failure, rather than mass protests bringing down neo-liberal governments (i.e. Bolivia).

It will work about as well as current capitalist systems because its just another name for a capitalist economic system and a liberal stance on moral issues.

By the way, your definition is completely wrong. Third Way is supposed to be the middle point between capitalism and socialism not between social democracy (did you mean socialist democracy?) and neo-liberalism.

Bah I never bought this third way nonsense. Clinton was supposed to be a "third way" politician yet he destroyed America's welfare program, oversaw a rapid increase in the country's prison population, signed the Effective Anti Terrorist and Death Penalty act gutting legal rights for the accused etc. A capitalist is a capitalist in my view.

Defined as a "third-way" between social democracy and neo-liberalism.

Which do you think it is closer to and why?

For me, Third-wayism is neo-liberalism in sheep clothing.
I agree, the likes of Clinton and Blair are not moderate or centrist; they are undoubtedly right-wing.

It will work about as well as current capitalist systems because its just another name for a capitalist economic system and a liberal stance on moral issues.

By the way, your definition is completely wrong. Third Way is supposed to be the middle point between capitalism and socialism not between social democracy (did you mean socialist democracy?) and neo-liberalism.

This is nonsense. The Third Way is capitalism through and through, just as the somewhat more left wing social democracy is too. Third Way-ists are not liberal on moral issues either, neither the New Labour Party in Britain nor the Democratic Party in America endorse gay marriage or the legalization of marijuana for rehabilitation purposes. They are conservatives.

I think the idea that any state/government/party/individual is wholly capitalist or wholly socialist is just plain wrong. Government is, on the whole, a compromise between various values, a fudge if you like. Some of these values lean far more to the Left or the Right, but I think these 'black and white' interpretations of ideology are misleading. Definitions are completely subjective.

The big two in the UK are Labour and Conservative, and the 3rd way are the Liberal Democrats. Taxes up 40 times, anyone?