I'm getting really disturbed by the vision of now already dozens of political journalists, advisers and "pundits" claiming that the only way for Canada's New Democrats to move forward is to become a "Third Way" party of the Blair type, thus abandoning effectively their adherence to social democracy per se and becoming an amorphous "big orange tent" party somewhere in the interminable political center. Being actively involved in the executive of an NDP riding association, I have up to now tried to keep my distance from the leadership race, especially when it comes to anything close to an endorsement (or anti-endorsement) of any of the candidates. However, this recent mania of suddenly placing Tony Blair and the likes of him as the symbol and ideal for which to strive is truly upsetting. Just look at where the British Labour Party is now and also look at, say, the German SPD in terms of their stance on major current issues (not necessarily in terms of their declared ideological positions) to see that the so-called "Third Way" is the way into the political oblivion as far as progressive approaches to socio-economic problems are concerned.
We can definitely do better than that.
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Hey, it's a good thing none of the candidates want to do this then, isn't it?!
ReplyDeleteIsn't there one that advocates that?
ReplyDeleteYou tell me.
ReplyDeleteWell, this kind of discussion could go on for a while.
ReplyDelete:) Tell us what you think, I think I am reading between the lines correctly but don't want to assume anything. I'll put it out there: I think you are an "Anyone But Mulcair" guy. If this is so, I submit that this blog posting is based more on what other people, esp. Broadbent, have had to say about Tom, than what Tom has had to say himself. Tom has never explicitly advocated a Third Way approach, I would argue that it would be unreasonable and incorrect to read that into what he has said about modernizing the party, and that he would simply be carrying on what Jack started in that regard.
ReplyDeleteI don't think one needs to mentioned the words "Third Way" or praise Blair openly to show one's stance on the oil sands, the Middle East or electoral reform. Again, I'm not endorsing anyone nor do I think any of the candidates are the ultimate evil. I just think that there is nothing wrong or shameful or retrograde with being social democrats.
ReplyDeleteNot grinding a leadership axe here, but just trying to throw what i am aware of as facts out into this discussion...
ReplyDeleteMulcair has explicitly rejected Blair's "third way". I was at a "meet Mulcair" event at Party office in Regina where he did. He has discussed modernising the language we use to describe social democracy and the NDP approach to it. The third way tag has come most often from the Topp camp.
I find it funny that Topp should be throwing "third way" as a bad thing around, considering he was a key strategist and player in the Romanow government - and Romanow (in my opinion - having known him and Topp personally and politically/professionally) thought Tony Blair sprang wholly formed from his forehead when it came to "third way" crap. Romanow's government was explicitly "third way". And Topp was a senior strategist in that government. It doesn't reconcile well with me, especially since Romanow is endorsing Topp.
Maybe someone else can square these rounds for me...
Brian Topp was one of the main architects of the third-way style NDP government in Saskatchewan in the 1990s. They cut social programs and closed hospitals across the province. If you're looking for someone likely to try to implement third way style policies in the NDP you don't need to look any further than Topp - yes he talks about other things now, but his history shows he supports the third way.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is nice, thank you, everyone, for your insightful comments!
ReplyDeleteThe post was actually not about any leadership candidate in particular but more about the media and the "experts" urging the shift.
Third way style of bulaien·tuopu, in the Saskatchewan new Democratic Party Government of one of the major players in the 1990 of the 20th century. They are cuts in social welfare programs, and close around the hospital in the whole province. If you're looking for, maybe you tried out the third way, in the style of the new Democratic Party and you do not need to look any further than the Top-he talks about other things now, but his history shows that he supported the policies of the third way.http://www.balklanningaronline.com/
ReplyDeleteMary, thank you for your comment. I must once again note that my post is neither pro-Topp nor anti-Mulcair, although neither of them is actually my personal pick for leader.
ReplyDeleteArtem, I am equally irritated by the media spewing this "NDP needs to move to centre to win" argument. I think it is crap. And i've argued inside the party over the same issue over the years.
ReplyDeleteI think we need to be a little less ranting, a little less "eat your peas" morally superior, and a little less quick to reprimand those who are not as "enlightened" as we are (a big problem i have with so many "true believers" inside the party [and out])
that is why i have always argued we need to be more socialist, just less "morally superior" and we would do better electorally
preening "do gooders" who use their moral superiority as a cudgel to beat those "less enlightened" than them are a key turn off when it comes to the NDP in my experience
Thanks for your comment. I'm in full agreement.
ReplyDelete