International conference Social Democracy Facing Financial Crisis

Developed countries are facing an unprecedented structural crisis of capitalism since 1929. This crisis also affects neoliberal ideas that have become prevalent after the death of social democratic compromise of the postwar period. One might therefore expect this critical juncture to be a “window of opportunity” for social democracy. Yet, this window of opportunity seems to have been missed. This assertion can be backed up by two types of observations. First, we observe a global electoral failure of social democratic parties in national and EU elections since the crisis. Second, this failure also concerns public policies since social democrats have not managed to impose their views in response to the financial crisis. No electoral gain, no intellectual revenge, and no alternative policy: this picture should be clarified and nuanced especially in respect to national trajectories and specific issues structuring political life of each country. In addition, we have to tackle with the ability and willingness for social democracy to embody an alternative to neoliberalism. This conference will mainly focus on analysing the social democratic responses to the financial crisis as well as the opportunities and constraints hanging over a potential social democratic alternative.

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