The Crisis of Social Democratic Trade Unionism in Western Europe: The Search for Alternatives

This book outlines a developing crisis of social democratic trade unionism in Western Europe and examines emerging alternatives. The authors define 'social democratic trade unionism' and its associated party-union nexus and explain how this traditional model has been threatened by social democracy's accommodation to neoliberal restructuring and public service reform. The experience of Sweden, Germany, Britain and France is examined and the historical rise and fall of social democratic trade unionism in each country is explored. A further chapter probes the policy and practice of the European Trade Union Confederation. The authors critically examine the possibilities for a revival of social democratic unionism in terms of strategic policy and identity and suggest possibilities for an alternative, radicalised political unionism. The research value of the book is highlighted by its focus on contemporary developments and its authors' intimate knowledge of the chosen countries.