The fourth stage of social democracy

This article examines the political crisis of social-democratic parties in Western Europe light its impact on emancipatory project, and asks whether first calls second into question. It begins by defining social democracy as an identifies three major historical phases that correspond to distinct conceptions project. “Social-democratic dilemmas” section recent literature comparative welfare state economics, sociology, studies populism authoritarianism, show how socio-economic transformations last five decades have enlarged fragmented constituency parties, contends this situation has generated powerful tensions between normative mundane dimensions Three dilemmas—economic, cultural, political—leading deep conflicts internal are identified discussed. Combining these empirical findings with rival interpretations project introduced “Social ideational a project” section, “Three scenarios” develops possible scenarios for evolution near future: decline, drift, renewal. “Implications policy politics” assesses likelihood meaning each scenario pursuit taking consideration upsurge left-wing populism.