The document discusses the concept of neo-revisionist social democracy. It first notes the retreat from traditional social democracy due to factors like globalization and the end of national Keynesianism. It then explains that the "Third Way" rejected both top-down socialism and pure market individualism in favor of liberal communitarianism. The Third Way is characterized by its values of opportunity, responsibility and community as well as a world view focused on concepts like consensus, knowledge economies, and meritocracy. Finally, the document debates whether the Third Way represents a modernized social democracy or a post-socialist ideology.

1. Neo-revisionist social democracy
• Retreat from social democracy (globalization and end of
national Keynesianism; changing class structure and the
electoral appeal of Thatcherism; collapse of communism)
• Third Way (rejection of 'top-down' socialism/social
democracy and market individualism; liberal
communitarianism)
• Third way value framework (opportunity responsibility,
community)
• Third way world view (connectedness, consensus model
of society, knowledge economy, “asset based
egalitarianism”/meritocracy, “work fare state”, governing
through culture)
• Third way and socialism (modernised social democracy
or post-socialism?)

2. Third Way (rejection of 'top-down' socialism/social
democracy and market individualism; liberal
communitarianism)
• Moving away from state based “top down”
Socialism.
• Communitarianism: You are shaped by your
community and owe them a debt of respect
and positive behaviour.
• Left wing
• Centrist
• Right wing

3. Third way value framework (opportunity,
responsibility, community)
• Consensus view rather than conflict like
Socialism.
• Faith in consensus and social harmony is
reflected in value framework- amounts to a
non-dualistic world view.
• Third way politicians can endorse enterprise
AND fairness, opportunity AND security, self
reliance AND interdependence.

4. Third way world view (connectedness, consensus model of
society, knowledge economy, “asset based
egalitarianism”/meritocracy, “work fare state”, governing
through culture)
• connectedness- we are all connected through human social interactions and
beliefs.
• consensus model of society- see society as community that are bound
together.
• knowledge economy- an economy is which knowledge is supposedly the key
of competitiveness and productivity, especially in the form of ICT.
• “asset based egalitarianism”- equality of opportunity- the right to access
assets and opportunities to enable you to reach your potential.
• Meritocracy- A society based on rewards for hard work and talents rather
than social factors.
• “Work fare state”- combination of welfare and work- you only received
welfare if you are prepared to work- “Clinton- a hand up not hand out”
• Governing through culture - Changing through education and changing the
culture (people having the correct values, skills, beliefs and knowledge) to
help boost the economy. Gov needs to focus on improving the workforce
this way rather than through programme of economic and social
engineering.

5. Retreat from social democracy (globalization and end of
national Keynesianism; changing class structure and the
electoral appeal of Thatcherism; collapse of communism
• Globalisation- pressure from companies and
corporations- decreased the amount that governments
could regulate economic activity within their own
borders. Led to “national Keynesianism” being
weakened.
• The “Third Way”- largely shaped by social democrats
trying to come to terms with globalisation.
• Changing class structure and the electoral appeal of
Thatcherism Shrinking trad. Working class- loss of
industry- people wanted to be part of growing m.class-
voted for Thatcher’s vision of Britain.

6. Neo-revisionism and socialism
(modernised social democracy or post-
socialism?)
• Socialism is being transformed into a critique
of global exploitation and inequality.
• “World systems theory”- world economy is
best understood as an interlocking capitalist
system similar to a national capitalist system-
with structural inequalities based on
exploitation and tendency towards instability
and crisis rooted in economic contradictions
• Anti-globalisation movement emerging during
the 1990s.

7. Homework tasks:
• Create a revision “poster” with pictures from
“Socialism (2)” table in book (page 136).
• Read and highlight pages 136-137 (Socialism
in a global age)
• Complete two 15 mark questions from the
selection (Socialism only!!)

8. Level 3
(11-15 marks)
Full and developed knowledge and understanding of relevant institutions, processes,
political concepts, theories or debates.
Good or better ability to analyse and explain political information, arguments and
explanations.
Sophisticated ability to construct and communicate coherent arguments, making good use
of appropriate vocabulary.
Level 2
(6-10 marks)
Satisfactory knowledge and understanding of relevant institutions, processes, political
concepts, theories or debates.
Sound ability to analyse and explain political information, arguments and explanations.
Adequate ability to construct and communicate coherent arguments, making some use of
appropriate vocabulary.
Level 1
(0-5 marks)
Limited knowledge and understanding of relevant institutions, processes, political
concepts, theories or debates.
Poor ability to analyse and explain political information, arguments and explanations.
Weak ability to construct and communicate coherent