The Global Third Way Debate - by Anthony Giddens (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Left-of-centre governments are currently in power in many countries. In greater or lesser degree, all have moved away from traditional doctrines and policies of the left, recognizing that left values have to be pursued by different means today. The term 'third way' has become a widely accepted, if controversial, label understood by many modernizing social democrats to refer to these attempts at ideological and policy innovation. The debate that has arisen around these developments is a truly world-wide one, stretching from the US and Europe through to Asia, Australasia and Latin America.


Anthony Giddens has been perhaps the foremost contributor to the global third way discussion. In this book he has brought together some of the key contributions from around the world. Articles included cover, among other topics: the development of the third way policies in EU countries; welfare institutions and welfare reforms; economic and social policy; trust, the civic order and government; the strains and stresses of democracy; the regulation of corporate power; ecological modernization; the third way viewed from the South; global governance.


This book will be of interest to everyone concerned with the future of progressive politics. It provides perhaps the most comprehensive and integrated account to date of core developments in leftist political thinking.

From the Back Cover

Left-of-centre governments are currently in power in many countries. In greater or lesser degree, all have moved away from traditional doctrines and policies of the left, recognizing that left values have to be pursued by different means today. The term 'third way' has become a widely accepted, if controversial, label understood by many modernizing social democrats to refer to these attempts at ideological and policy innovation. The debate that has arisen around these developments is a truly world-wide one, stretching from the US and Europe through to Asia, Australasia and Latin America.

Anthony Giddens has been perhaps the foremost contributor to the global third way discussion. In this book he has brought together some of the key contributions from around the world. Articles included cover, among other topics: the development of the third way policies in EU countries; welfare institutions and welfare reforms; economic and social policy; trust, the civic order and government; the strains and stresses of democracy; the regulation of corporate power; ecological modernization; the third way viewed from the South; global governance.

This book will be of interest to everyone concerned with the future of progressive politics. It provides perhaps the most comprehensive and integrated account to date of core developments in leftist political thinking.

Review Quotes

'This book widens the debate to worldwide issues.' Iain Dale, Bookseller Buyer's Guide

'Anthony Giddens has been one of the most prominent participants in recent debates about the future of social democracy; his ideas have provided intellectual support for the new Labour project ... Whether one is sympathetic or sceptical [about the third way debate], this book provides an excellent starting point for understanding current developments in social-democratic thinking.' Times Higher Education Supplement

'With an impressive range of international contributors, this book provides a real sense of context to what can, on occasion, be a depressingly narrow debate.' Mark Perryman, New Statesman

'In a word, this book covers a lot ... Giddens has mined the richest corners of the fullest lodes. No collection is better illustrative of third way arguments ... The Global Third Way Debate is a premier state-of-the-art volume, an indispensable reference for students and citizens.' Millennium

"It may be too early for an obituary for the third way, but Giddens' assessment of neoliberalism-too socially corrosive to provide a lasting political formula-might one day soon come in handy." Canadian Journal of Political Science

"This excellent volume raises many important questions. It should be read and debated by anyone interested in working for a liveable planet." British Journal of Sociology

"The book is a success....In this way the book serves as a useful introduction to some of the best recent on the future of progressive governance - as a sort of intellectual cheese sampler, offering alot of small but tasty portions that, whet the appetite for more." Frank Cass Publishers

"...the third way has become the only way...For this reason alone it is important that we shouldinform ourselves about it and here is no better way to do this than to read this book". Stephen Ryan, University of Ulster.

"With so many high quality chapters, this book will undoubtedly prove valuable to any student or academic who is interested in current debates on social, environmental and economic policy, the welfare state and the more general relations between state and society in late modernity." Environmental Politics

About the Author

Anthony Giddens is Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science. He was formerly Professor of Sociology and Fellow of King's College at the University of Cambridge.