Third Way

Term coined by New Labour, indicating that the Party seeks a compromise between heartless neo-liberalism and uneconomical 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 Scienes (LSE), defines it as an attempt to unit socialist and neo-liberal ideas and as a chance to deepen and widen democracy. Thereby, the 'Third Way' is neo-liberal in terms of economy, conservative in terms of values and it redefines democratic socialism by tending to a more communitarian philosophy.

Tony Blair - his interpretation of the 'Third Way'

Third way politics Tony Blair and New Labour stand for mainly base on Anthony Giddens' 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. To reach this aim certain values are needed, which were named by Julian le Grand (LSE), and which are 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 togehter 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."

2. "A commitment to equality of opportunity"

3. "An emphasis on responsibility"

4. "A belief in accountability"

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, 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.