Practical Social Democracy
Published on 19. March 2026
Book
Hardback
420 pages
978-1-009-61431-3 (ISBN)
Description
Practical Social Democracy develops a novel approach to reformist politics that is centred on the practical challenges parties face in navigating competing priorities across key dimensions of their activities. Containing comparative chapters and case studies of a range of countries and thematic areas by world-leading experts, it demonstrates how this approach can enrich debates about the contemporary challenges of social democracy as well as its historical evolution. The volume sheds light on patterns of social democratic policy-making and on the role of language, rhetoric, and ideology. By focusing on social democracy as one of the most important party families, the contributors elucidate key dilemmas confronting any political party and their role in democratic politics both in the traditional heartland of social democracy in Western Europe and beyond. An essential resource for scholars and students of social democracy, party politics, and European politics and political development.
Reviews / Votes
'As there is no way back for Social Democracy to its 20th century heydays, this book asks what concrete, practical social democratic reformism implies in the 21st century. Practical Social Democracy is a fantastic, much-needed addition to current research on the future of social democratic parties, which remains too often focused on electoral performance. Uniting contributions from a stellar team of leading experts, the book takes the historical and current political challenges and constraints social democratic parties confront seriously and studies social democratic reform politics and policies across European countries. It is essential reading for anyone eager to move towards a constructive focus on the potential and practice of social democratic ideas in our times.' Silja Haeusermann, Professor of Political Science, University of Zurich, Switzerland 'Social democratic parties claim to craft policies for the collective good and reconcile economic growth and social solidarity, yet citizens who potentially benefit most from these policies often turn rightward. Practical Social Democracy offers powerful insights into the promise of social democratic politics, the reasons why parties on the left sometimes stumble, and the ways that activists may realize their ambitions in the real world. This fascinating collection of essays by leading scholars is a must read for those who seek enlightened political solutions in these dark and chaotic times.' Cathie Jo Martin, Professor Emerita, Boston University 'Practical Social Democracy is an important volume challenging the dominant perspective of social democracy as a well-defined, policy-dictating ideology. By recognizing social democratic parties as strategic actors facing organizational, electoral and governmental trade-offs like other parties, the authors provide an insightful framework for understanding the often puzzling policy decisions these 'ideological' parties make.' Bonnie M. Meguid, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of RochesterMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
756 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-009-61431-3 (9781009614313)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Magnus Feldmann | Jonas Hinnfors | Mark Wickham-Jones
Practical Social Democracy
Book
approx. 04/2026
Cambridge University Press
€53.30
Not yet published
Persons
Magnus Feldmann is Associate Professor of Politics at the University of Bristol. Jonas Hinnfors is Professor of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg and Honorary Senior Research fellow at the University of Stirling. Mark Wickham-Jones is Professor of Political Science at the University of Bristol.
Content
1. Practical social democracy: an introduction Magnus Feldmann, Jonas Hinnfors and Mark Wickham-Jones; Part I. The Evolution and Institutionalization of Social Democracy: 2. The changing profiles and fortunes of centre-left parties Sheri Berman; 3. The future of social democracy Adam Przeworski; 4. Did the working class abandon the social democrats? Or was it the other way around? Jonas Pontusson; 5. The development of practical social democracy in the United Kingdom Mark Wickham-Jones; Part II. Social Democratic Policy-Making: 6. Pension markets in Sweden and Denmark: practical social democracy? Karen M. Anderson; 7. Embracing the market? Social democracy and financial liberalisation in Finland Magnus Feldmann; 8. The German social democrats' agricultural dilemma Brian Shaev; 9. Varieties of practical social democracy in Australia Rob Manwaring; 10. Paradigm change within the British Labour party Emmanuelle Avril and Eric Shaw; 11. Governing through inter-party dialogue: lessons in collaborative statecraft from Portugal 2015 -2022 Eunice Goes; Part III. Rhetoric, Language and Ideology: 12. Education and practical social democracy Jane Gingrich; 13. The (im)practical consequences of practical solutions: the increasing gap between ideological rhetoric and concrete policy pledges in Swedish social democracy Jonas Hinnfors; 14. Interpreting social democracy: 'common meanings' within the social democratic world Karl Pike; 15. British social democracy in practice: some lessons from history Jon Lawrence; 16. Conclusions: lessons from practical social democracy Magnus Feldmann, Jonas Hinnfors and Mark Wickham-Jones.