Left Neoliberalism
Book •
Stephanie Mudge's 'Left Neoliberalism?
' explores the transformation of left-wing politics in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, focusing on the adoption of neoliberal policies by social democratic parties in Europe.
The book examines the intellectual and political factors that contributed to this shift, including the rise of economic expertise, the decline of traditional working-class constituencies, and the perceived failures of Keynesian economics.
Mudge argues that social democratic parties embraced neoliberalism as a pragmatic response to changing economic conditions, seeking to modernize their policy platforms and regain electoral competitiveness.
However, this shift also led to a weakening of social protections, rising inequality, and a sense of betrayal among traditional left-wing voters.
The book provides a nuanced and critical analysis of the complex relationship between neoliberalism and the left, shedding light on the challenges and dilemmas facing social democratic parties in the contemporary era.
' explores the transformation of left-wing politics in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, focusing on the adoption of neoliberal policies by social democratic parties in Europe.
The book examines the intellectual and political factors that contributed to this shift, including the rise of economic expertise, the decline of traditional working-class constituencies, and the perceived failures of Keynesian economics.
Mudge argues that social democratic parties embraced neoliberalism as a pragmatic response to changing economic conditions, seeking to modernize their policy platforms and regain electoral competitiveness.
However, this shift also led to a weakening of social protections, rising inequality, and a sense of betrayal among traditional left-wing voters.
The book provides a nuanced and critical analysis of the complex relationship between neoliberalism and the left, shedding light on the challenges and dilemmas facing social democratic parties in the contemporary era.
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Didi Kuo
Didi Kuo, "The Great Retreat: How Political Parties Should Behave and Why They Don't" (Oxford UP, 2025)
