The Struggle for Labour's Soul: Analysing the Political Thought of the Labour Party

'New Labour' is often accused of being obsessed with style rather than substance, and with image rather ideology. The Struggle for Labour's Soul examines how the party's political thought has developed from 1945 to the present day. It explores the divisions in the Labour Party between the old left, the new left, centrists, the old right and 'New Labour'. These ideological positions are examined in the context of the key political issues of the twenty-first century including constitutional reform, markets, equality, internationalism and globalization. The book concludes with commentaries by renowned experts on the various competing traditions within the party. Featuring contributions by leading academics, journalists and politicians, this is the first major analysis of Labour's political thought for a generation. Contributors, Ranging From Chancellor Gordon Brown To The Guardian Newspaper's Polly Toybee, Discuss The Labour Party's Political Philosophy And Address Key Topics Like Globalization, Constitutional Reform, Equality And The 'third Way'. Part I Positions -- 1. The Old Left / Anthony Arblaster -- 2. The New Left / Mark Wickham-jones -- 3. The Centre / Noel Thompson -- 4. The Old Right / Kevin Jefferys -- 5. New Labour / Matt Beech -- Part Ii Themes -- 6. Ends, Means And Political Identity / Raymond Plant -- 7. Equality / Kevin Hickson -- 8. Globalisation / Anthony G. Mcgrew -- 9. Ownership, Planning And Markets / Stuart Holland -- 10. Labourism: Myths And Realities / Eric Shaw -- 11. Constitutional Reform / Dilys Hill -- 12. Internationalism / Brian Brivati -- Part Iii Commentaries -- 13. The Old Left / Tam Dalyell -- 14. The New Left / Frances Morrell -- 15. The Centre / Joe Haines -- 16. The Old Right / Austin Mitchell -- 17. New Labour / Polly Toynbee And David Walker. Edited By Raymond Plant, Matt Beech And Kevin Hickson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [278]-287) And Index. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 List of Contributors......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 11 Introduction......Page 12 Positions......Page 16 The Old Left......Page 18 The New Left......Page 35 The Centre......Page 58 The Old Right......Page 79 New Labour......Page 97 Themes......Page 114 Ends, Means and Political Identity......Page 116 Equality......Page 131 Globalisation......Page 148 Ownership, Planning and Markets......Page 174 Labourism: Myths and Realities......Page 198 Constitutional Reform......Page 217 Internationalism......Page 240 Commentaries......Page 256 The Old Left......Page 258 The New Left......Page 262 The Centre......Page 268 The Old Right......Page 272 New Labour......Page 279 Afterword......Page 285 Bibliography......Page 289 Index......Page 299 Education, Politics & IR, Sociology & Social Policy Book Cover 1 Title 4 Contents 5 List of Contributors 8 Acknowledgements 11 Introduction 12 Positions 16 The Old Left 18 The New Left 35 The Centre 58 The Old Right 79 New Labour 97 Themes 114 Ends, Means and Political Identity 116 Equality 131 Globalisation 148 Ownership, Planning and Markets 174 Labourism: Myths and Realities 198 Constitutional Reform 217 Internationalism 240 Commentaries 256 The Old Left 258 The New Left 262 The Centre 268 The Old Right 272 New Labour 279 Afterword 285 Bibliography 289 Index 299

What is the future for New Labour? This book is an excellent account of the state of the Labour Party's political thought which discusses the historical political traditions from which the Labour party originally drew its philosophy and the problems it now faces as the ruling party in 21st century Britain.

This book is an excellent account of the state of the Labour Party's political thought which discusses the historical political traditions from which the Labour party originally drew its philosophy and the problems it now faces in power