The Third Way

The Third Way Blair (Fabian society pamphlet) claims the

Third Way links democratic socialism and liberalism.

It goes beyond the ideas of state control and collective values

Key values of Third Way are a belief in equal moral worth and opportunities for all.

Also an acknowledgement of individual responsibilities and commitment to the value of communities.

Why a Third Way? New approach needed to reflect

changes of late 20th./early 21st. Century Impact of globalism – global markets,

global culture Technological advances bring need for

new, skills-based education Major changes in society (e.g.women)

bring trad. structures into question. Major changes in the nature of politics –

EU, old institutions out of date.

Response to Changes Need for a knowledge-based economy Govt. should seek to empower people Market exists to serve the public

interest Govt. committed to investing in skills

and education Commitment to strong civil society –

rights and responsibilities

Responses to Changes Youth Justice and support for

families (part of civil society) Principles of partnership and

decentralisation Leads to policies on constitutional

reform; Creation of Social Exclusion Unit

Blair’s Aims

To create a modern, tolerant, outward looking Britain, in which power and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not the few. All forms of prejudice, discrimination and inequality must be overcome; society should be governed by fairness.

Influences on Blair - Thatcher Is the Third Way just Thatcherism with a

caring face? Blair accepts Thatcherism’s economic

realism and dynamism He rejects the belief that the market

can be applied to all areas of life He believes Thatcherism saw social

disintegration caused by rampant individualism.

Influences on Blair – ethical socialism Blair is a Christian socialist. Influenced by John Macmurray – - emphasis on bonds of family and

community, tradition and traditional institutions; against claims of reason and individualism.

We must pursue our own interests in te context of the interests of society as a whole.

Influences on Blair - liberalism Blair was keen, in practical terms, to

create a new, strong, centrist coalition with Liberals (Ashdown) and moderate Tories (Patten, Heseltine)

Desire to encourage equality of opportunity – most obvious in his education reforms.

Also keen on liberal communitarianism.

The Third Way in Practice Welfare system should be reformed –

people need to ‘qualify’ for benefits. State co-ordinates programmes to

enable people to escape poverty – it does not provide the monetary resources.

State generates equality of opportunity via welfare and education reform (New Deal, Restart programmes)

The Third Way in Practice People need to feel a part of society Different kinds of education ebing

developed Encouragement of multi-culturalism Constitutional reform Tight control on public spending in

first two terms.