Social democracy
In 1869, the Social Democratic Workers' Party of Germany became the first social democratic party established in Europe. This organization adopted socialism associated with Karl Marx as its official theoretical basis by that same year. The movement drew influence from both Marxism and the supporters of Ferdinand Lassalle during the late 19th century. Richard T. Ely wrote a scholarly work titled French and German Socialism in Modern Times in 1883 for an American audience. He characterized social democrats as the extreme wing of socialists who laid stress on equality regardless of labor value. Eduard Bernstein later rejected orthodox Marxist ideas about inevitable historical progression and revolution. His views initially met resistance within his own party which maintained reforms should only be means to eventual revolution. Yet Bernstein's ideas gained growing influence particularly after World War I ended. August Bebel, Wilhelm Liebknecht, and Carl Wilhelm Tölcke are considered founders of social democracy alongside Bernstein and Lassalle. They argued socialism could be achieved through cooperation between people regardless of class rather than class conflict.
The Russian Revolution served as a pivotal moment that furthered division between reformists and revolutionary socialists. Those supporting the October Revolution renamed themselves Communists while those opposing Bolsheviks retained the Social Democrat label. Both groups technically shared goal of communist society fully realizing principle from each according to ability to each according to need. Communists sought distance from Social Democracy association with reformism. They also distinguished themselves from socialists that had supported imperialist Great War thus betraying proletarian internationalism. This reformist-revolutionary division culminated in German Revolution of 1919 where Communists wanted overthrow government establish soviet republic like Russia. Social Democrats wanted preserve it as what came to known as Weimar Republic. The Bolsheviks split from Second International created separate Communist International Comintern in 1919 rally revolutionary social democrats together for socialist revolution. Reformists founded Labour and Socialist International LSI in 1923. The LSI had history rivalry with Comintern competing over leadership international socialist labour movement. By post-World War II period most social democrats Europe abandoned ideological connection orthodox Marxism shifting emphasis toward social policy reform compromise capitalism socialism.
During post-war consensus period spanning 1940s through 1970s defining features social democracy included Keynesian economic policies industrial agreements balance power capital labour welfare state. These policies were especially associated Swedish Social Democrats. In Britain, Liberal economist William Beveridge drafted Beveridge Report influencing Labour Party social policies such National Health Service Labour's welfare state development. Anthony Crosland wrote The Future of Socialism in 1956 arguing traditional capitalism reformed modified almost existence requiring new kind socialism. He believed features reformed managerial capitalism irreversible though others argued Margaret Thatcher Ronald Reagan brought reversal 1970s 1980s. Post-war social democracy buoyant but gains thought permanent turned conditional reservoir capitalist growth showed signs drying up. Aneurin Bevan Minister Health first post-war Labour government architect National Health Service disputed claim Britain socialist state saying Britain had socialist National Health Service opposing hedonism Britain's capitalist society. Public ownership never accounted more than 15, 20% capital formation dropping 8% 1980s below 5% 1990s rise neoliberalism. Countries like Japan West Germany Austria South Korea France Italy Greece experienced unusually high sustained economic growth together full employment during this period.
The Third Way emerged as offshoot social democracy aiming fuse economic liberalism social democratic economic policies center-left social policies. It reconceptualization social democracy developed 1990s embraced some social democratic parties political scientists analysts characterizing effectively neoliberal movement. Tony Blair New Labour Bill Clinton New Democrats notably embraced approach. Some analysts characterized Third Way neoliberal rather social democratic. Social democrats adjusted neoliberal political climate existed since 1980s recognizing outspoken opposition capitalism politically nonviable accepting powers challenge free-market laissez-faire variations immediate concern. Clause IV Labour Party Constitution revised version implemented 1990s New Labour faction led Tony Blair affirming formal commitment democratic socialism describing modernized form social democracy. It no longer commits party public ownership industry place advocates enterprise market rigour competition high quality public services owned public accountable them. Many social democrats refer themselves socialists democratic socialists use terms interchangeably others argue clear differences three terms preferred describe beliefs using term social democracy only.
Social corporatism began Norway Sweden 1930s consolidated 1960s 1970s system based dual compromise capital labour component market state other. This form social democracy major component Nordic model lesser degree West European social market economies. From 1940s through 1970s defining features social democracy included Keynesian economic policies industrial agreements balance power capital labour welfare state especially associated Swedish Social Democrats. In 1970s social corporatism evolved neo-corporatism replacing it representing important concept Third Way social democracy. Robin Archer wrote Economic Democracy Politics Feasible Socialism 1995 about importance social corporatism social democracy. As welfare state social democracy specific type described universalist supportive collective bargaining more supportive public provision welfare. Nordic countries including Denmark Finland Iceland Norway Sweden Greenland Faroe Islands ranks highest metrics real GDP per capita economic equality public health life expectancy solidarity perceived freedom make life choices generosity quality life human development. United Nations World Happiness Report shows happiest nations concentrated social democratic nations Northern Europe where Nordic model applied similar democratic socialist labourist social democratic parties dominated region political scene laid ground universal welfare states 20th century.
Other socialists criticize social democracy serves devise new means strengthen capitalist system conflicts socialist goal replacing capitalism socialist system. American democratic socialist philosopher David Schweickart contrasts social democracy democratic socialism defining former attempt strengthen welfare state latter alternative economic system capitalism. He gives example attempts reduce unemployment too much result inflation too much job security erode labour discipline. Marxian socialists argue social democratic welfare policies cannot resolve fundamental structural issues capitalism cyclical fluctuations exploitation alienation. Welfare state only serves legitimize prolong exploitative contradiction-laden system society detriment. Critics contemporary social democracy Jonas Hinnfors argue when social democracy abandoned Marxism also abandoned socialism became liberal capitalist movement effectively making social democrats similar non-socialist parties Democratic Party United States. Franklin Delano Roosevelt III grandson United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt David Belkin criticize social democracy maintaining property-owning capitalist class active interest reversing social democratic welfare policies disproportionate amount power influence government policy. Joseph Stalin vocal critic reformist social democrats coining term social fascism describe social democracy 1930s period embraced similar corporatist economic model model supported fascism. Communist International adopted view argued capitalist society entered Third Period proletarian revolution imminent prevented social democrats fascist forces.
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Common questions
When was the Social Democratic Workers' Party of Germany established?
The Social Democratic Workers' Party of Germany became the first social democratic party in Europe in 1869. This organization adopted socialism associated with Karl Marx as its official theoretical basis by that same year.
Who are considered founders of social democracy according to the script text?
August Bebel, Wilhelm Liebknecht, Carl Wilhelm Tölcke, Eduard Bernstein, and Ferdinand Lassalle are considered founders of social democracy alongside each other. They argued socialism could be achieved through cooperation between people regardless of class rather than class conflict.
What happened during the German Revolution of 1919 regarding social democrats and communists?
During the German Revolution of 1919 Communists wanted to overthrow the government and establish a soviet republic like Russia while Social Democrats wanted to preserve it as what came to known as Weimar Republic. The Bolsheviks split from Second International created separate Communist International Comintern in 1919 rally revolutionary social democrats together for socialist revolution.
Which countries experienced unusually high sustained economic growth during the post-war consensus period spanning 1940s through 1970s?
Countries like Japan West Germany Austria South Korea France Italy Greece experienced unusually high sustained economic growth together full employment during this period. These policies were especially associated Swedish Social Democrats who implemented Keynesian economic policies industrial agreements balance power capital labour welfare state.
When did the Third Way emerge as an offshoot of social democracy and which leaders embraced it?
The reconceptualization social democracy developed 1990s embraced some social democratic parties political scientists analysts characterizing effectively neoliberal movement. Tony Blair New Labour Bill Clinton New Democrats notably embraced approach.