Social Democracy in Sweden: The Threat from a Globalized World (Library of European Studies)

What is the future of social democracy in the age of globalization? The Swedish model, long the paradigm for socially responsible capitalism, was pronounced dead in the 1990s, but a new Swedish model has emerged and is thriving. Europeanization and globalization were expected to erode social democracy, placing limits on the power of organized labor to negotiate with capital. Here Dimitris Tsarouhas shows why and how this did not happen. Tracing the emergence of the original model to its institutional and political origins, he garners rich empirical evidence to show the resilience of the fundamental nature of Swedish social democracy in the face of changing policies, institutions and labor relations. This book is an important reassessment of European social democracy and the impact of globalization. "'Social Democracy in Sweden: The Threat from a Globalized World' is an original and exceptionally well researched volume that deals with significant issues concerning social democracy in Sweden and the reformist project in Europe more generally. Sweden is the archetypal social democratic case which defines the parameters for reformist strategies elsewhere. Much recent scholarship throws severe doubts on the possibilities of such projects. In contrast, Tsarouhas argues in a carefully constructed and well structured account that social democracy remains relevant. His theoretical perspective directly and persuasively challenges many of the existing accounts. His analysis places considerable emphasis on the historical institutional and ideational variables that have shaped the adjustments that have taken place to labour relations in Sweden. The outcome is an outstanding volume that will fundamentally reshape our understanding of reformist politics. -- Mark Wickham-Jones, Professor of Political Science, University of Bristol" Europeanisation and globalization were expected to erode social democracy, placing limits on the power of organized labour to negotiate with capital. This book shows why and how this did not happen. What is the future of social democracy in the age of globalization? The Swedish model, long the paradigm for socially responsible capitalism, was pronounced dead in the 1990s, but a new Swedish model has emerged and is thriving. Europeanisation and globalization were expected to erode social democracy, placing limits on the power of organized labour to negotiate with capital. Here Dimitris Tsarouhas shows why and how this did not happen. Tracing the emergence of the original model to its institutional and political origins, he garners rich empirical evidence to show the resilience of the fundamental nature of Swedish social democracy in the face of changing policies, institutions and labour relations. "Social Democracy in Sweden" is an important reassessment of European social democracy and the impact of globalization Globalised. Dimitris Tsarouhas. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [239]-266) And Index.