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Social Democracy Observatory

Ideas and debate from the progressive centre-left
The squeeze on middle-class America

The squeeze on middle-class America

The centre-left in the US and other affluent democracies have allowed politics and public policy to "drift", leading to the accentuation of vast gaps between the middle-classes and very rich. By JACOB S. HACKER

State of the Left

State of the Left

Something is happening on the political left. Having spent much of 2011 adrift in the shadows of missed opportunities, social democrats are back with a new self-assurance.

Markets, power and politics

Markets, power and politics

A new lively politics of challenge will emerge to contest unrestrained corporate power. Are social democratic parties capable of becoming part of it? By COLIN CROUCH

Talking straight on capitalism

Talking straight on capitalism

The left must address its relationship with capitalism head-on; a radical conception of fairness offers a route map for reinvention and revival. By WILL HUTTON

 A new "Progressive" Conservatism?

A new "Progressive" Conservatism?

Most apparent in Germany, Sweden and the UK, the recent development of ‘progressive’ Conservatism presents a potent challenge to the centre-left. By PATRICK DIAMOND Image © Crown

What we are reading

Astute and important writings which have relevance for social democratic renewal.

Facts and figures

View the latest opinion polls, voter intentions and social democratic manifestos from across Europe.

Ideas and debate

Essays and critical thinking on some of the key political and ideological challenges for 21st Century social democracy.

State of the Left

Policy Network's international political observers report on centre-left politics across the world.

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