The Future of Social Democracy: Problems and Prospects of Social Democratic Parties in Western Europe

Events of the last ten years have brought about dramatic changes in the social-democratic parties of Western Europe. Oil prices have doubled, spurring recessions in world trade and altering patterns of income redistribution and welfare. Attitudes toward NATO have also shifted as policies have changed, costs have risen, and new strategic priorities have been adopted. This book focuses on the impact of contemporary challenges to the major social-democratic parties. It explores such timely issues as the widespread tensions between leaders and party members, attitudes to and policies on nuclear weapons, NATO pressures to increase military expenditure, problems of income redistribution and social welfare, and the implications for the future of the changing social composition of the parties' members.