Third Way

Term coined by New Labour, indicating that the party seeks a compromise between heartless neo-liberalism and humanitarian socialism.

The Third Way as a political theory

New concepts in politics and economy are often described as the 'Third Way' - a political theory or ideology that lies in between to traditional, political approaches. First of all, the 'Third Way' was seen as a compromise between capitalism and communism. Nowadays, it also characterises a middle course between to political camps or ideologies within one political system. With Tony Blair becoming Prime Minister on May 2, 1997 the concept of the 'Third Way' reappeared on the stage of politics. The term became more a symbol for the transformation and modernisation of social democracy, rather than a simple alternative to the two old ways of socialism and capitalism.

Anthony Giddens, director of the London School of Economics and Political Sciences (LSE), defines it as an attempt to unite socialist and neo-liberal ideas and as a chance to deepen and widen democracy. Thereby, the 'Third Way' is neo-liberal in terms of the economy, conservative in terms of values and it redefines democratic socialism by tending to a more communitarian philosophy. [source needed]

Tony Blair's Interpretation of the Third Way

Tony Blair and New Labour adopted and adapted Anthony Giddens's theory. Blair as well as Giddens point out that the 'Third Way' arises out of all changes within our postmodern world and economy, reacts to it and tries to balance the development of business with the needs of society. The overall aim of third-way politics should be to "help citizens pilot their way through the major revolutions of our time: globalization, transformations in personal life and our relationship to nature" as Giddens expresses it (quoted in Kamm & Lenz, 360). To reach this aim certain values are needed, which were named by Julian le Grand (LSE), and which Tony Blair himself names in his book New Britain - My Vision of a Young Country as the key elements of New Labour politics:

1. A belief in the value of community

It is the central topic and claims that institutions and idividuals should work together in a new relationship where rights and obligations between individuals and the community are redefined. Tony Blair indentifies it as one of the most important aspects in New Labour politics because "a nation, like a community, must work together in order for individuals within it to succeed." (Blair, 36)

2. A commitment to equality of opportunity

According to Blair this can only be done if a society of opportunity is "built around a strong and stable economy in which all of us have a stake" and therefore, a dynamic market economy should be strengthend by a "partnership between government and industry, between employeer and employee, and between public and private sector" (Blair, 39f.).

3. An emphasis on responsibility

Responsibility is closly connected with community because it "is a shared value. If it doesn't apply to everyone it ends up applying to no one" (Blair, 42f.). Individuals, as well as institutions, politicans and employers, have to face the fact that we live in a social community within a globalized world where we have to work together rather than against each other.

4. A belief in accountability

Not clearly defined it is hard to distinguish accountability from responsibility. Fact is that it is a component of liberal rule of law, "directed towards both local and national communities, though there is far less evidence to endorse its foundational status in Labour Discourse" (source??]

Consequentially, Blair's definition of the 'Third Way' is a redefinition of socialism which is not a fixed theory for now and forever but which is "a set of values and principles definable for all time" (Blair, 31) - equally applicable on the general of the "Third Way'.

Sources

UK Politics - What is the Third Way? BBC; June 9, 2012 [1]

Dritter Weg - Kommunitarismus; Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung; june 5, 2012 [2]

Blair, Tony. New Britain - My Vision of a Young Country. London: [Publishing House??], 1996.

Huo, Jingjing. Third Way Reforms - Social Democracy after the Golden Age. Cambridge: CUP 2009.

Kamm, Jürgen und Lenz, Bernd. Großbritannien verstehen. Darmstadt: Wisschenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft 2004.