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A rejuvenation of the party-trade union link could play an important
part in the recovery of European social democracy.
Coinciding with the
biggest financial crisis since the second world war, and an economic crisis
whose full consequences have yet to emerge, the ‘good society’
debate offers social democrats an opportunity for reflection and programmatic
rejuvenation. Both are necessary. Although it is too early to judge the
political consequences of the crisis, it seems clear that progressives are
once again in an uncomfortable place. In spite of the complete vindication
of their earlier calls to regulate markets, social democrats are now being
blamed for the bloated public sector, and the constraints this poses on
a swift recovery from the crisis! Nowhere is this better illustrated than
in Conservative attacks on Labour in the UK. But this is just one example
of a wider issue. European social democracy has yet to redefine its core
message in these changing circumstances, and to articulate a viable way
forward – conscious of the realism that is entailed in governmental
responsibility, yet confident in its values, and bold enough to openly do
away with market fundamentalism.
Clearly, this process of reflection and rejuvenation will involve in-depth
analysis and many adjustments. One aspect of this – rejuvenating the
relationship between social-democratic parties and trade unions –
is discussed in this piece. My argument is that the party-union link remains
vital for the social-democratic movement, and that it offers institutional,
financial and political resources that ‘civil society’ can in
no way replace. What is more, a new relationship between the two sides can
send two significant messages. First, that progressives are concerned with
‘real’ working people, rather than with the self-absorbed debates
of yesterday; and secondly, that trade unions have a central role to play
in the process of rebalancing the mixed economy, and can be relied upon
to act in a spirit of responsibility to assist Europe’s recovery from
the current slump.
What is remarkable about the party-union link is how much it has been underestimated
by social democrats themselves. The ‘golden age’ was made possible
by many different components, but one of them was certainly successful party-union
links: these were instrumental in forging governmental coalitions that enhanced
women’s rights, gave employees a say in the workplace and secured
safe work conditions for employees. Even today, and despite all the changes
that the link has gone through, unions continue to form the backbone of
the progressive movement in a number of countries.
‘Third Way-ists’ often displayed in office the dismissive attitude
towards trade unions that is characteristic of those who uncritically adopt
neoliberal orthodoxy. Regarding unions as a historical relic, they rushed
to pronounce the arrival of a post-ideological age, in which labour was
an economic factor of only secondary value as compared to the glitz and
glamour of financial capital.
The crisis has revealed the absurdity of that attitude, but – since
it takes two to tango – the unions themselves also need to assume
responsibility for the build-up of a new link with social-democratic parties.
Their democratic functioning, representative character, corruption-free
organisational structure and reformist credentials will be a crucial part
of any attempt to place their relationship with progressive politics back
on track.
Social democracy remains as relevant as ever in an age of rapid change.
Insecurity and fear have crippled people’s lives, and the absence
of a sense of community has led to alienation from politics and distrust
towards the political. A new party-union link can contribute to the restoration
of the European social-democratic movement by once again forging a working-class/middle-class
coalition, united in its defence of socio-economic rights and sustainable
growth as the basis of the post-crisis settlement.
Dimitris Tsarouhas is Assistant Professor in European Politics
at Bilkent University. A Research Group Member of the Foundation for European
Progressive Studies (FEPS), he is the author of Social Democracy in Sweden
(London and New York: IB Tauris 2008) and various articles on European politics.
Email: dimitris@bilkent.edu.tr
website: http://www.bilkent.edu.tr/~dimitris/
To read more articles,
and make a comment, go to
http://www.goodsociety.social-europe.eu
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