Lost or anew? American progressive-liberalism and European social democracy

Policy Network and Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) present a unique public panel on the future of progressive politics and liberal democracy

Ahead of Barack Obama’s bid for re-election to the White House in November 2012 and amidst the ongoing turmoil engulfing Europe, Policy Network presents a unique public panel debate on the shape of US and European politics and economics in the next decade.

This unique event will bring together three of the foremost academics and political thinkers from Harvard University for a compelling comparison of transatlantic trends.

The event is free and open to the public.

Confirmed Panel

Politics and paradigms
Peter A. Hall, Krupp Foundation professor of European studies, Department of Government, Harvard University
 
Political participation and trust in government
Pippa Norris, McGuire lecturer in comparative politics at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and professor of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney.
 
Economics: Is the west heading for a lost decade?
Jeffry Frieden, professor of government at Harvard University
 
Chair: Ernst Stetter, secretary general of FEPS

Introduction: Roger Liddle, chair of Policy Network and a Labour member of the House of Lords.  

Context
On both sides of the Atlantic, politics has rarely been so ugly. The US political system is in a state of paralysis with progressive politics crippled by an unprecedented loss of faith in government action. Meanwhile in Europe, having fulfilled their historic mission to build the welfare state, centre-left parties struggle to articulate a distinctive vision beyond the status quo, with widespread dissatisfaction feeding into dangerous populist sentiments.

What are the prospects for social democracy and progressive politics on both sides of the Atlantic? Can they recover the ideological and intellectual vitality which underpinned their strength in the post-war political landscape?  Can they fashion an effective programme to cope with the current economic crisis and build from it a durable electoral coalition?

This event is organised in partnership with the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS).