Third Way: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Costa.png]] '''Costaism''' {{Collapse|
[[File:Costa.png]] '''Costaism''' {{Collapse|
*[[File:Klep.png]] [[Kleptocracy]] (Accused)
*[[File:Mach.png]] [[Machiavellianism]]
*[[File:Mach.png]] [[Machiavellianism]]
*[[File:Regulationism.png]] [[Regulationism]]
*[[File:Soclib.png]] [[Social Liberalism]]
*[[File:Statecap.png]] [[State Capitalism]]
*[[File:World.png]] [[Globalism]]
*[[File:Glib.png]] [[Green Liberalism]]
*[[File:PortSocDem.png]] [[Social Capitalism|Portuguese Social Democracy]]
*[[File:Cball-EU.png]] [[European Federalism|Pro-Europeanism]]
*[[File:Cball-EU.png]] [[European Federalism|Pro-Europeanism]]
*[[File:Klep.png]] [[Kleptocracy]] (Accused)
*[[File:Regulationism.png]] [[Regulationism]]
*[[File:Socauth.png]] [[Social Authoritarianism]] (Accused)
*[[File:Socauth.png]] [[Social Authoritarianism]] (Accused)
*[[File:Soccap.png]] [[Social Capitalism]]
*[[File:Socdem.png]] [[Social Democracy]]
*[[File:Statecap.png]] [[State Capitalism]]
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[[File:AusModel.png]] '''Economic Rationalism''' {{Collapse|
[[File:AusModel.png]] '''Economic Rationalism''' {{Collapse|

Revision as of 20:03, 22 June 2023

Third Way is an economically centre-left to centre-right, civically moderate, and culturally variable (though usually centre-left) ideology which combines Neoliberalism with Social Liberalism/ Social Democracy, combining positions from both.[Note 8]

History

The modern understanding of Third Way politics was popularized in the 1990s by Anthony Giddens, who wrote a series of books detailing the qualities of the Third Way. He called for a re-evaluation of policies from both progressive and conservative parties. The ideology became popular in many western countries, including the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Mainland Europe. The most notable advocates for Third Way are former American president Bill Clinton and former UK prime minister Tony Blair, who both supported its ideas while in office during the 1990s and early 2000s

United Kingdom

In the 90s, the concept of the "Third Way" was first thought up by Anthony Gidden. Originally intended to be a rebranded version of Social Democracy, as well as an alternative to traditional forms of Socialism and Capitalism. The Labour Party, after 4 consecutive election losses to the Tory Party, decided to adopt Gidden's idea of the "Third Way" under the leadership of Tony Blair and rebranded itself as "New Labour". Blair moved the party to the right, embracing most of Margaret Thatcher's polices. Blair went on to beat the Tories in a landslide in 1997, being the first Labour leader to be PM in 18 years. After his involvement in the Iraq War in 2003, Blair's premiership became increasingly unpopular with the public. He resigned in 2007 and was replaced with Gordan Brown, who was nearly identical to Blair in policy but differed interpersonally. Brown lost in a landslide against the Tories under David Cameron in 2010. His replacement, Ed Miliband was slightly to the left of him and Blair, but still compromised on issues like austerity. In 2015, Jeremy Corbyn was elected leader of the Labour Party and his victory was seen as a rejection of the Blairite establishment and the party finally moving back to the left. However, now that Corbyn has been replaced with new leader Keir Starmer, the party has now mostly reverted back to the centre to centre-left.

United States

In the mid 80s, the New Democrat Coalition faction of the Democratic Party first appeared, emerging after the landslide victories by president Ronald Reagan. Instead of continuing with the more left-leaning direction the party had taken since FDR, this new group embraced Reagan's economic reforms with more of an emphasis on progressive values, due to feeling that the party was becoming out of touch on economic issues. Bill Clinton became the first New Democrat to win the presidency in 1992, with the New Democrat Coalitioners becoming the dominant faction in the party since. Barack Obama, in a meeting with the New Democrat Coalition, said he was a New Democrat Coalitioner. Hillary Clinton ran for president in 2016 as a New Democrat Coalitioner, but lost. During the presidency of Donald Trump, many Moderates in the Republican Party swapped to the New Democrat Coalition. Joe Biden, one of the first New Democrat Coalitioner, won the American presidency in 2020.

Hillary Clinton

Germany

Schröderism

Schröderism is the ideology of the former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who held the office position from 1998-2005.

Schröder joined Bill Clinton and Tony Blair in promoting the Third Way, or what he called the "New Centre". He had a highly pro-business platform, to the point many of his advisers (including one Peter Hartz) and cabinet members had ties to Germany's major companies. He pushed for welfare reform in an effort to reduce unemployment rates and spur economic growth. This culminated in Hartz IV, setting time limits for unemployment insurance and requiring benefits recipients to look for and accept jobs.

Schröder actively intervened in the economy in the interest of Germany's industrial and corporate leaders. He sought to protect Germany's automobile industry from the European Union's market liberalization policies through extensive subsidies. He abolished the capital gains tax, bailed out failing companies to save the economy from recesssion, undermined the country's trade unions by expanding labor market flexibility, balanced the budget, and promoted foreign investment—all in an effort to make Germany more internationally competitive.

As Chancellor he befriended Russian president Vladimir Putin. He advocated for Nord Stream 1 to increase the country's acess to natural gas. Since the early 2000s, Schröder actively defended Russia whenever possible. More recently, he has opposed NATO's efforts to curtail Russia's inavsion of Ukraine.

France

One of the most notable proponents of Third Way politics in France is current president Emmanuel Macron and his party "La République En Marche!". The party was founded with a goal to "modernise and moralise" French politics, and would go on to win in a landslide against Right-Wing candidate Marine Le Pen in the 2017 election. Politicians also associated with Third Way politics include former president François Hollande and former prime minister Manuel Valls.

Romania

Iliescuism

  • Ion Iliescu is a Romanian politician and engineer, the founder of the Social Democratic Party, who served as President of Romania from 1989 to 1996 and from 2000 to 2004. Iliescu rose to prominence during the communist era when he joined the Romanian Communist Party (PCR) in 1953 and became a member of its Central Committee in 1965. He was eventually marginalized by dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu and eventually came to play a leading role in the Romanian Revolution during the fall of communism.

After the overthrow of Ceaușescu in December 1989, Ion Iliescu was recognized as the co-leader leader of the National Salvation Front (FSN) an organization formed by second-rank Communist party members opposed to the policies of Ceaușescu to fill in the power vacuum caused by the fall of the dictator and lead the transition to parliamentary democracy. In recent times Iliescu has been accused of committing crimes against humanity by approving deadly militaristic measures against civilians during the aftermath of the Romanian Revolution.

In 2004, during Iliescu's second presidency, Romania joined NATO and has taken part in the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War with boots-on-the-ground troops in both wars.

Australia

Third Way in Australia largely takes the form of Economic Rationalism, which was a movement with in the Labor Party lead by Bob Hawke. It shifted the formally social democratic ALP to more market based solutions. WIP

Canada

Trudeau Liberalism

  • Trudeau Liberalism is the ideology representing the current prime minister of Canada Justin Trudeau. He has been the leader of the Liberal Party since 2013 and was elected to his position in 2015. In many ways he could be seen as the spiritual successor to his father Pierre Trudeau, who famously legalized homosexuality

Under his watch, Justin Trudeau has aggressively pushed for public-private partnerships; he established the Canada Infrastructure Bank to generate revenue through P3 projects. Trudeau has been a strong advocate for federal state-owned enterprises (Crowned corporations). He has tried to balance the budget by raising taxes, signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, boosted funds for scientific research, bailed out businesses of perceived strategic importance (e.g., dairy manufacturing companies), and imposed a carbon tax which funds a dividend for each Canadian. He has also appointed business leaders to positions of political power.

He has attracted controversy and praise for his record on civil liberties. He has banned assault weapons and restricted handgun ownership; criminalized conversion therapy; legalized marijuana and euthanasia; fought to keep abortion legal; appointed a gender-balanced cabinet; and he cracked down on the trucker's convoy (a wildcat strike in response to COVID-19 lockdown measures) using the Canadian military.

While he often portrays himself as an advocate for indigenous rights and representation, he is very controversial if not outright disliked by the first-nations community for his numerous actions which have affected their communities. For one example; he is largely regarded as being responsible for the "illegal" occupying of "unceded" territories of the Wetʼsuwetʼen indigenous nation, leading to the 2020 Canadian pipeline and railway protests between indigenous activists and the Royal Mounted Police. An act many advocates consider to be by its very nature "Imperialistic".

Because of his reputation as a pink/green washing virtue signaler, paradoxically both self-identifying with progressive causes or movements, while also being seen as harming those exact groups by the actual communities he claims to be representing, along with his reputed authoritarian tendencies, he is often stereotyped on polcompball as a sort of "proto-state-liberal".

Overall

As the political situation is different, there is a difference in the interpretation of the third way by each country. Although each country does not explicitly advocate a “third way,” one commonality can be found:

This Third way (left-wing regimes) have largely embraced neoliberalism since the 1980s, denying the existing excessive welfare policies, and claiming a new "radical" center course, breaking away from socialist ideology.

The left, which has represented the working class, sets the new middle class as a political base and attempts to change as the living standards of the working class improve and the scope expands.

Variants

Neoprogressive Hawk

Neoprogressive Hawkism is in reference towards people who support progressive social policies with an interventionist foreign policy. Neoprogressives differ from liberal hawks in the sense of how progressive their social policies are, as liberal hawks are usually center-left, while progressives are left-wing. As well in economics, as liberal hawks will usually be centrist, while neoprogressives will either be center-left or left-wing.

Beliefs

The Third Way is a form of Radical Centrism. Anthony Giddens in his books Beyond the Left and Right and Third Way: The Renewal of Social Democracy talks about Neoliberalism, and how its key tenants—such as welfare cuts, global trade, balanced budgets—were not only popular but valid aspirations. But still seeing merit in social justice and noticing the nasty side-effects of Thatcher and Reagan's economic policies (e.g., lower social trust and excessive inequality), Giddens proposes making neoliberalism more humane through:

  1. A "social investment state" which helps people climb the social ladder through workforce development and education, rather than handouts.
  2. Preserving progressive taxation so the general population feels the gains of free market while reducing inequality.
  3. Making economic and political institutions more inclusive (and therefore egalitarian).[Note 9]

Economics

"Humane Neoliberalism"

Third Way advocates synthesize Social Market Economy with Neoliberalism. They believe that economic liberalization and globalization are inevitable, and that goals such as inclusion and equity must be pursued while embracing managerial capitalism. In doing so, the Third Way, at least in theory, will transcend the left and the right. Third Way economics can be compared to Ordo-Liberalism, though modernized and friendlier to big capital. It is also similar to Liberaltarianism, albeit more regulatory and friendly toward Keynesian demand-side policies.

Social Investment State

Third Wayers agree with right-wing criticisms of the welfare state (e.g., it discourages productivity and subsidizes negative cultural tendencies like single parenting). Bill Clinton, for example, drew influence from Charles Murray, which drove his support for welfare reform in the 1990s.[11] But rather than dismantle it they prefer a "social investment state" (SII). For them, the goal of the SSI is to reduce inequality by encouraging upward social mobility and utilize market-based schemes to reduce poverty.

For example, they will favor increasing access to education and vocational training (as seen with Hillary Clinton's plan to eliminate educational tuition and debt[12]), so the impoverished can "pull themselves up by the bootstraps" by acquiring marketable skills: A government-funded scheme that not only allows more people to attain economic security (increasing individual liberty in a positive sense or benefiting the community by reducing inter-generational poverty), but encourages people to make something of themselves. Often Third Wayers will propose market-based solutions to social programs, often as a middle-ground between libertarian and social democratic policies; such as support for compulsory private health insurance with a public option instead of "Medicare For All."

Liberalization

Third Wayers pursue other neoliberal economic policies, such as cutting "unnecessary government red tape", privatizing social services, gutting perceivably ineffective welfare programs, a positive relationship between business and state, and (sometimes but not always) union busting.[Note 10]

Foreign Policy

Proponents of the Third Way have been known to take a generally interventionist foreign policy and have made several alliances with Neoconservatism. Most infamous example being when Tony Blair allied with George W. Bush to invade Iraq in 2003.

Another example is the German Green Party, which holds broadly transatlanticist and pro-NATO stances on diplomacy. It follows what it dubs a "foreign policy to protect human rights", manifested in their hawkish stance on autocratic regimes such as Russia and China. Current German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock has stated in the past that military intervention is sometimes necessary in order to save human lives.
The most infamous example of military intervention by the Greens is that of 1999, when the foreign minister Joschka Fischer decided to deploy German troops in Kosovo, thus marking the first time since WW2 that German troops have been involved in a foreign war. This action made Fischer receive high amounts of criticism, particularly from the contemporary red-green coalition as well as the opposition, the former of which having felt left behind in the decision making process.

Criticism

Some leftists still argue that even if the equality of labor and educational opportunities (which is proposed as a welfare policy) provides opportunities for everyone, it is difficult to guarantee "actual equality" because the situation after that (employment, startup etc..) is left to one's ability.[13]

How to Draw

Pink Rose Design

Flag of Third Way (Pink rose design)
  1. Draw a ball
  2. Draw a rose in pink
  3. Add the eyes and you're done!
Color Name HEX RGB
Pink #FF00AF 255, 0, 175
White #FFFFFF 255, 255, 255

Official Logo Design

Flag of Third Way (Official Logo)
  1. Draw a ball
  2. In the middle, draw a dark grey compass with a ring surrounding it
  3. Add the eyes and you're done!
Color Name HEX RGB
Dark Grey #2C2C2C 44, 44, 44
White #FFFFFF 255, 255, 255


Relationships

Partners

  • Pragmatism - I'm basically him codified into an ideolgy.
  • Neoliberalism - I owe it all to you dad! Just please try to compromise with Soclib more.
  • Radical Centrism - Mixing up the center gang.
  • Moderatism - One of my biggest fans.
  • Globalism - Globe Gang!
  • Liberal Internationalism - Global Liberalism Gang!
  • Social Liberalism - My other dad, who will begrudgingly admit that my policies are a good compromise. Usually forms coalitions with me.
  • US Democrats - Fellow member of Bill Clinton and Obama fan club.
  • Neoconservatism - My best friend! From Yugoslavia, to Iraq, to Libya, our teamwork makes the dream work. Still, calm down a bit.
  • Social Capitalism - Literally me.
  • Ordo-Liberalism - My German predecessor.
  • Fiscal Conservatism - Austerity time!
  • Rockefeller Republicanism - My more conservative brother. We must stay moderate!
  • Liberalism - Grandpa who is too anti-war sometimes, but good direction.
  • Zionism - I have my disputes with Bibi and the Israeli far-right but Obama gave you the Iron Dome and signed historic military aid deals for you.
  • Liberaltarianism - The best type of libertarian and most certainly not a lolbert. Doesn't like my foreign policy though.
  • Welfarism - Ok, just needs some reform to get people working again.
  • Nordic Model - Scandinavian pal. The fact that all of you are either in, or want to join NATO makes it all better.
  • Police Statism - Hey buddy, want some more military gear?
  • Bull Moose Progressivism - Economically a bit too far, but we are both progressive welfarist hawks.
  • Social Democracy - Hates my deregulation and fiscal responsibility. But also a fellow economic centrist and a triggerer of lolberts and contards.
  • Liberal Conservatism - A member of the centrist moderate Gang and some of my supporter used to support you but please compromise with soclib instead of him. Also a Republican worth changing parties for and I'm very greatful to you for you rathering abandon your party than support that laughable Prince but still, see you in elections!
  • Pink Capitalism - More libertarian counterpart of mine, still calm down a bit, m'kay?
  • Girondism and La Plaineism - You both should've been the direction of the french revolution!

Mixed

  • Social Libertarianism - Andrew Yang is based but most of you complain about me being a ”Woke Imperialist” and an ”Establishment Shill” as if that is a bad thing.
  • Classical Liberalism - My great-grandpa! Shame that he's another one of those "non-interventionists" and anti-regulation types...
  • Tridemism - Ok economics, but I prefer DPP to rule Taiwan. Sad to see you turning into a CCP shill.
  • Chicago School - Your economics are good, but can you focus on equality a little bit more?
  • Keynesian School - I support regulatory capitalism and welfare, but can you please be more fiscally responcible and more privatized?
  • Gaddafism - While he may be a totalitarian dictator, I like his idea of the "Third International Theory" and we had a brief alliance in the 2000s. But I still had to take him out when the time came.
  • Progressivism - Feminism and gay rights sound pretty cool! Just please don't bring up Iraq or Clinton banning gay marriage
  • Yeltsinism - Some say I helped you rig the 1996 Russian Election. Either way, we clashed over Chechnya. Still better than Putin.
  • Dengism - Sorry for bombing your embassy in Belgrade, 1999. But I let you join WTO and helped you integrate into the world economy. Unfortunately, Xi taking you back to the days of Mao so our alliance has come to an end.
  • PiS - Too conservative, but at least you're also a pro-NATO welfarist. And you're a Huge fan of Zelensky, too! But please leave Tusk and Trzaskowski alone.
  • Shia Theocracy - What I replaced Saddam in Iraq. In retrospect, after the rise of ISIS and Al-Qaeda, maybe I should’ve thought things through in beforehand.
  • Neo-Libertarianism - A bit too deregulated in general but it's still pro-NATO and pro-interventions.
  • Khomeinism - Contrary what Republicans may say, the JCPOA (Iran Nuclear Deal) isn’t meant to appease you but rather to contain your influence in the Middle East. Also, I helped the Saudis bomb your proxy in Yemen.
  • Social Authoritarianism - You're going way too far there buddy. Please ignore Blair and Clinton increasing police power and Thaksin's war on drugs.
  • National Liberalism - What's keeping you off the enemies list is the DPP and Ciudadanos being some of the most amazing friends I could ever ask for and to certain extent Bibi, Navalny and Sternenko too. The rest of you are a bunch of xenophobic Brexit-loving trash.
  • Satirism - I'm not sure if I will enjoy your jokes and Your Obama Prism memes are the reasons some people don't take Obama seriously, but Stephen Colbert is super based.
  • State Liberalism - This is just a strawman who is too deregulated and dogmatic economically. But Trudeau and Thaksin are close to you.
  • Medvedevism - Preferable to Putin as we had a good partnership during the Russian Reset. But now you're insane.
  • Civic Nationalism - Most tolerable member of his family.
  • Patriotism - Sorry but you have the bronze medal.
  • Liberal Socialism - One of the better Socialists, at least you try to implement a bit of the market in order to achieve your goals. Kwaśniewski and Vaush are great! But we needed to "borrow" ANC.
  • Kemalism - Unsure about some of your economic and foreign policies. Still better than Erd*ğan by a long shot.

Adversaries

  • Conservatism - My opposite! We are rivals especially in the United States. Your moderate factions are ok tho.
  • Socialism - No, not "Socialism", Social-ism!
  • Miloševićism - I bombed you for a reason.
  • Jihadism - Drone strike go brrr… Seriously tho, increasing drone strikes was a great idea. Excellent precision, spare American lives, and keep down the anti-war sentiment at home.
  • Marxism–Leninism - Bloody tankies!
  • Left-Wing Populism and Democratic Socialism - Bloody Corbynites!
  • Putinism - Any hope I may have had for you in the past is gone now. NATO and EU shall bring you to your downfall. But Schröder likes you.
  • Nazism - You're third position, not third way!
  • Fascism - Same with you!
  • Reactionary Liberalism - We may both be capitalist, but you're just an edgelord and you have nothing to with liberalism.
  • Democratic Confederalism - Yes, I helped Turkey capture Öcalan and yes, you are terrorists. Cope.
  • Ba'athism - bUt WhAtAbOoT eErAcK. I will never apologise for Iraq! And yes, I intervened in the Syrian civil war and bombed the f*ck out of you. Cry about it.
    • - Who must go?
  • Welfare Chauvinism - American Democrats > Swedish Democrats (even if the latter likes welfare more).
  • Right-Wing Populism - Utterly deplorable!
  • Paleoconservatism - I AM a Protestant! And I did not legalize Satanism you codger!
  • Libertarianism - Naive non-interventionist coward, and the economy is too deregulated! And stop obsessing over guns!
  • Libertarian Conservatism - You basically combine the worst of both Libertarianism and Conservatism. Sure, Biden may be senile, but so is your overlord. I am not a Communist!
  • Conservative Socialism - I am not a Fascist!
  • National Bolshevism - Wow, a literal commie Fascist and extreme version of the above. You also take the worst of two worlds.
  • National Conservatism - Damn Trump-like reactionaries!
  • Korwinism - If Trump was a Pole.
  • Braunism - You're like the guy above but even more old-fashioned, outdated and conspiracist.
  • National Democracy - 4th place in the elections.
  • Alt-Lite - Can you stop comparing Libya and Iraq to Ukraine, Watson?!
  • Classical Conservatism - Bloody Enoch!
  • Neo-Ottomanism - I won't be as loose as Trump, one more outburst and I will sanction you!
  • Monarcho-Fascism - Salims that supported the overthrow of Thaksin and Yingluck. This is something akin to Valorum from Star Wars.
  • Fourth Theory - Damn Putinists...
  • Noam Chomsky - Defending Milošević? What the hell is wrong with you?
  • Paleolibertarianism - You're too long-nosed, Ronnie!
  • Barracks Communism - Not that Barack!
  • Alt-Right - Some moron who thinks I'm some sort of Jewish lizard controlling the world and releasing vaccines with microchips that turns frogs gay or something. That sounds pretty awesome, ngl.
  • Illegalism - Average anarchist.
  • Clerical Fascism - Literally Matt Walsh!

Further Information

Literature

Wikipedia

Parties and Organizations

YT Channels

Videos

Online Communities

Images

And Justice for all by Michael D’Antuono

Gallery

Notes

  1. Carl Bildt generally sided with the Democrats such as Clinton, Obama, and Biden in US elections, despise populism and traditionalism. He also reformed and privatized the Swedish welfare state without abolishing it.
  2. Since the 1990s, Hillary has identified as a progressive, in reference to the original movements of the late 19th and early 20th century. It is likely she is referring to a form of social liberalism without the alleged negative connotations.
  3. Obama has attempted to minimize the perceivably inhumane effects of free trade (e.g., deindustrialization) by creating tax incentives to "keep American jobs at home" and writing enviornmental and labor protections into free trade agreements; meanwhile slapping tariffs to counter "unfair Chinese foreign competition". Despite this, Obama has denied being a protectionist.
  4. Edi Rama speaks highly of British culture, values, and leaders, including Tony Blair (whom he claims inspired his ideological beliefs)Margaret Thatcher. This is in spite of his current feud with the British government over Albanian immigration and crime.
  5. Schröder advocates for keeping Germany an export-oriented economy, propping up local industries to boost Germany's global competitiveness, while reducing so-called "unfair advantages" other countries have over them. His commitment to ensuring Germany's economic dominance on the global stage reflects his mercantile orientation. He has also praised Trump's protectionist policies.
  6. While he supported NATO membership and several interventions, he opposed the Iraq War and aiding Ukraine against Russia.
  7. Trudeau's use of military action to bust a wildcat strike (the trucker's convoy in 2022) can be seen as an act of union busting.
  8. In the PCB community, Third Way also refers to (self-proclaimed) social democrats/social liberals who engage in economic liberalization and other policies associated with neoliberalism. This is also why leaders like Thaksin and Shevardnadze are considered Third Way despite their authoritarian tendencies.
  9. Anthony Giddens believes the terms "equality" and "inclusion" are synonymous, since people being able to participate in a collaborative community makes everyone better off. This relates to the concept of distributive justice.
  10. Labor unions are a source of division among Third Wayers. Some of them are supportive (Bob Hawke); some are outright hostile (Emmanuel Macron); others are indifferent (Justin Trudeau).

Citations

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