Left, Right and the third way

Abstract

New Labour claims to have discovered a third way between Old Left and New Right, with policy implications that break with established debates and policy alternatives. But what does the third way mean in terms of values and its approach to policy? We argue in this article that Labour's third way does not transcend Old Left and New Right. Left and Right remain important markers for contemporary policy and politics but the third way does combine them in significant new ways. Between Old Left and New Right, we argue, there is not just space for one third way but for many, with varying values and policy positions.

Empowering Domestic Workers: A Critical Analysis of the Belgian Service Voucher System

“…Opening possibilities to attain a new job or to ascend the job ladder are very important for many domestic workers. By enhancing the domestic cleaners' human capital, service voucher companies can effectively increase their labor market opportunities [30,31] and thus their bargaining power in relation to customers [2,4].…”

Late Modernity, Individualization and Socialism

“…It is important to note that Giddens' understanding of the Third Way has notable differences from that advocated by 'professional' politicians, with Blair being no exception (cf. Driver and Martell 2000, Leggett 2002, although Giddens suggests New Labour were broadly faithful to his understanding of the term (Giddens 2004). 18.…”

Shaping the Responsible, Successful and Contributing Citizen of the Future: ‘Values' in the New Zealand Curriculum and its Challenge to the Development of Ethical Teacher Professionality

“…The political response offered by the third way outlined in the work of Giddens (1998Giddens ( , 2000Giddens ( , 2001a and others (Driver & Martell, 2001;Latham, 2001;Merkel, 2001) can be considered in relation to globalisation, social justice, the individual and modernising government. The third way does not regard globalisation to be threatening of national identity but is wary of free trade and is conscious of the need to preserve national identity and the integrity of national values.…”

“…The development of a reinvigorated concept of civil society and social cohesion is critical to the future health of both democracy and effective national economy (Giddens, 2001a, p. 7). Attention has to be paid to countering the rise of individualism by encouraging social responsibility (Giddens, 1998;Driver & Martell, 2001;Latham, 2001;Merkel, 2001), and here schools have a significant role to play, making investment in education an 'imperative' for third way governments (Giddens, 1998, p. 109). The revision and overhaul of the New Zealand Curriculum is regarded by its designers and the state as a positive policy initiative that enables schools and teachers to respond to these challenges.…”