Third way's intellectual heritage

[lord of the mark]

A speech by Tony Blair

"Some have argued that "third way" politics is defined by what it is not -- neither right nor left. That misunderstands our approach. It is modern social democracy, set firmly in the tradition of progressive left politics but drawing on the heritage of Keynes, Beveridge and Lloyd George as well as Attlee, Bevin and Bevan."


Interesting, in setting out both the social democrat and liberal heritage of third wayism. Of course Blair mentions only Brits. Interesting though that he mentions 5 pols and an economist (granted one who thought more broadly)

who else belongs on this list??

Im thinking of JS Mill, for sure, (thanks Azazel )
Among yanks, i think of the pragmatists - James, dewey and successors. I think Samuelson especially among more recent economists. On international policy i think 2 more pols - Wilson and Gladstone, are hard to avoid. And perhaps Gladstone more generally. Id love to get a Hegelian in there, reflecting my own personal inclinations, but i dont know who - Fukuyama is too Neo-con. as you see im pulling from all over pols, philosophers, econs, etc - and any period from the early 19thc to today.

Your ideas?

[Sandman]

Thatch.

[Drogue]

Originally posted by Sandman
Thatch.

[Sandman]

On a more serious note, Polly Toynbee, usually a supporter of Blair, says that he acts more like a christian democrat than a social democrat in yesterday's Guardian.

[St Leo]

Third Way == Dead and Buried

[Clear Skies]

Third way = neither left nor left.

[Az]

LOTM: You're quite welcome, though I've never seen JSMill as thirdway, just an philosopher of ethics. I, for once, think that his ethics right now are leading to socialism. ( this changes, since some times different types of government/socio-economical interaction are needed )

[Bosh]

I've never seen JSMill as thirdway, just an philosopher of ethics. I, for once, think that his ethics right now are leading to socialism.

That would make sense, since he was a self-described socialist.

[Az]

Indeed. he talked a lot about the ailments of society.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Azazel
Indeed. he talked a lot about the ailments of society.

well im not sure that talking about hte ailments of society rules out being thrid way. I see third way politics as being very much about solving the ailments of society, but without the abolition of private property as necessarily the essence of that.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Sandman
On a more serious note, Polly Toynbee, usually a supporter of Blair, says that he acts more like a christian democrat than a social democrat in yesterday's Guardian.

I would think Christian Dem ideas might also be relevant, in the sense of a religiously rooted concept of social justice. OTOH CD politcs as actually practiced on the continent also includes a certain element of standing for religious, specifically catholic interests on education and social issues like abortion, which is very different from the social liberal approach on these issues taken by third way pols in US and UK.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by lord of the mark


I would think Christian Dem ideas might also be relevant, in the sense of a religiously rooted concept of social justice. OTOH CD politcs as actually practiced on the continent also includes a certain element of standing for religious, specifically catholic interests on education and social issues like abortion, which is very different from the social liberal approach on these issues taken by third way pols in US and UK.

BTW, thats why i mentioned Gladstone.

[The Andy-Man]

I would hardly call Blair a socialist.

The Third Way is just Thatcherism with an attempt to appear socialist.