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Is
new Labour new enough? How does Blair's brand of modernisation measure up
to the changing shape of late twentieth century politics? The Blair Agenda
examines the enduring legacy of Thatcherism, which has played a central role
in determining the parameters of new Labour's policy debates. Recounting past
histories of Labourist modernisation, contributors analyse the model for transformation
which Tony Blair has offered his party, and the redefinition of the labels
'left' and 'right' which this process has forced upon us.
Drawing on a wide range of critical theories, The Blair Agenda focuses on
the key ideological themes that Tony Blair has highlighted since becoming
party leader - ethics and socialism, social justice and community, nationhood
and the 'young country'. Do these themes amount to something more than just
a brilliant election-winning strategy? In a collection which foregrounds the
need for a renewal of intellectual life, the generational, constitutional
and cultural tensions that might offset the ambitions of a Blair government
are addressed, in a context of thoughtful realism, and creative optimism.
'a pithy analysis...great insight'
Paul Anderson, Tribune
Contributors: Leighton Andrews, Kevin Davey, Nina Fishman, Andrew Gamble, Gerry Hassan, Mark Perryman, Anne Showstack Sassoon, Gareth Smyth, Martin Summers, Wendy Wheeler, Helen Wilkinson.