Queries - Our online scientific magazine

The metamorphosis of international relations brought about by the processes of globalisation on the one hand and the global financial crisis on the other, have thrown up a divisive set of questions within the left around progressive internationalism and outward facing political and economic integration. In this dialectic, the concept of cosmopolitanism has come under fire. It has been conflated with an elitist disconnect from mainstream society and the fracturing of the social contract between the winners and losers of globalisation. At the same time, the pervasive loss of confidence in the centre-left’s ability to deliver social progress in a time of economic upheaval has stimulated a revival of conservatism in political thought on the left. In this age of insecurity and uncertainty there seems to be little place for cultivating values such as international solidarity.

Many others, however, see this scepticism towards internationalism as symptomatic of a failure of ambition and an inward-looking perspective which is largely responsible for the troubles of the centre-left. They argue that now more than ever, the globalisation of capitalism requires a response of equivalent ambition and boldness from social democrats. Action at the state level is no longer sufficient, on its own, to achieve centre-left objectives: regulation of market capitalism, social justice, and the creation of public goods. These require social democrats to look beyond short-term national interests and work together for an international ‘greater good’, with the European project taking front and centre-stage.

This Queries volume, emerging from a FEPS Next Left – Policy Network & Wiardi Beckman Stichting Amsterdam Process high level seminar that was held in Brussels on 5th October 2011, surveys both perspectives, taking on board criticisms of “progressive cosmopolitanism, before outlining some signposts for The Next Mission of Cosmopolitan Social Democracy. The volume is premised on the assertion that the next mission would need to start with an explanation of what has happened, where global capitalism and global labour find themselves, before setting out credible, and incremental steps, for creating new space at the global level for progressive politics and new mechanisms for multi-level governance. The central dillemma is that there are very narrow limits to “Socialism in one country” in a world of growing inderdependence. Progressives need to make this case, balancing it with the volatility of public opinion, and combined with an offensive vision for a new internationalism.

The issue is composed of 4 Chapters, which encompass 13 articles by progressive scholars from both sides of the Atlantic. The introductory remarks by Alfred GUSENBAUER and Pascal LAMY additionally anchor them strongly in the contemporary political debate at the global level, before our respective authors look at how these theoretical deliberations play out in relation to specific issues such as: new social movements, climate change, migration and European integration.

Ania SKRZYPEK, FEPS Senior Research Fellow – Managing Editor of “Queries”
Michael McTERNAN, Policy Network Senior Editorial and Communications Manager

Emancipation of women has been a core part of the left wing ideology. Despite the proud tradition of the social democratic movement and especially of its feminist organisations, it seems that the ownership of the so called “women’s affairs agenda” is no longer exclusively in the hands of progressives. Both conservative and right wing extremist parties learnt to appeal to women with their ‘modernised’ pleas. Therefore, this issue of “Queries” shows deliberations on the threats and opportunities for the feminist cause nowadays. Bringing together European and American perspectives, it presents the aims that need to be achieved by progressives worldwide if they are to champion equality in the 21st century and safeguard herewith their raison d’être.

The first chapter is devoted to the question of domestic work. Studies and opinions shared in the articles indicate it is the next mainstreaming theme for all progressives – embodying an overall need for solid answers to the ageing society, evolving labour markets and the crisis of welfare states. There are over 100 million workers employed within private households worldwide. Their work is often delivered without any employment contract, without social security and health insurance, their work remains underpaid, undervalued and disrespected. The ILO Convention 189 and Recommendation 201 are the first step for a desperately needed change; however there is a long way to go with only 63 governments having ratified them. This is the core sense of the “12 by 12” campaign, whose materials were kindly offered to this issue by the ITUC – International Trade Unions Confederation.

Following it, the second chapter focuses on women immigrants who constitute a great proportion of domestic workers. The articles bridge feminist deliberations with another grand debate within the progressive movement – namely the one on the future of welfare state. Globalisation has resulted in the growing interdependences among states, while the need of those to remain competitive increased. This has led to a demur of domestic policies, which enhanced by the neo-liberal economic crisis, translated especially within the EU to further pressure and austerity applied towards welfare state policies. Logically, individuals seek private solutions to a state’s shortcomings in the provision of care for elderly, children, sick etc. – and here one ‘reeks’ the benefits of migration. Engagement of them in households is often done outside of legal frameworks (if those exist). And has created a group of ‘outcasts’ from the entire system of labour and welfare provisions that generations of social democrats struggled to put in place in the course of 20th century.

Consequently, the third and the fourth chapters assume contemporary predicament of feminism. The respective authors analyse it in the light of societal evolution leading to i.e. increased individualisation and reluctance of citizens to unite people in the name of a common objective. These offer fertile ground to prominent women on the right (moderate and extremists), who argue that they gained their respective positions without support from any of the feminist organisations (overlooking the fact that their participation in politics is possible thanks to struggle of generations of suffragettes). Right wingers also appear strategically stronger in gaining women’s support, resorting itself to strong cultural and religious emblems that seem to offer supplementary credibility to their ideas about the women’s roles in contemporary family and society. While examining strategies of counterattack, the contributors also consider what a new, distinctively progressive feminist agenda should entail. Changing times imposes additions and modifications to the original list of objectives, as also to the methods that the young generation wish to apply may vastly differ from those used by i.e. second wave feminists.

It is commonly repeated that the post-War order belongs to the past, as it no longer mirrors reality and its institutional set-up has proven incapable of responding to the challenges of modern times. Beyond any doubt, the so-called “BRICS” countries will play a crucial role in writing the next chapter of global governance – which is why FEPS turns its attention to one of them: India. Resulting from a study visit that took place in Spring 2011, thisissue features articles by Indian high-level authors, who kindly share their views on 4 themes: “Asian Spring: Promoting Diversity and Democracy”, “India in Shaping its future”, “A world player in the making”, “China: Reshaping the Status Quo”. Those building blocks enable the reader to discover a new perspective on a number of issues.

To begin with, the deliberations focus on the “Arab Spring”. The recent developments in the regions of Northern Africa and Middle East are analyzed from two angles: one focuses on the future of democracy; the other is devoted to the question of Islam and a potential for an “alternative, non-violent transformation” in the countries, in which it constitutes a dominant religion. Touching upon the challenges of prosperity, stability and social diversity – the authors propose a new way of evaluating this contemporary “4th wave of democratization”.

Secondly, the issue offers a unique, inside perspective on India itself, its potential and its ambitions. In this context, a reader can discover the impact of the global economy on different regions of so-called “emerging states”; can learn about difficulties in creating communities and working towards a solidarity-based society in the circumstances of post-colonial inheritance, as well as finding out about the complexity of the regional relations. The approach manifested by authors is by all means an innovative one, as it focuses on showing new grounds on which on the local, state and regional levels of different agreements are indispensible.

Thirdly, the relations between India and other global players are discussed. Challenges of multilateralism, peace, security, climate change – all those issues form a context for reflections on ties between: India and the EU, as well as Russia and the US. It enables us to sketch a portrait of contemporary India as an actor seeking its new place in a multilateral system.

Fourthly, in order to complete the picture, attention is given to China and its policies – both as far as their regional and international dimensions are concerned. There are questions posed on both Chinese expansionist policies in Asia and in Africa, as well as those concerning the sustainability of its model. In this context, issues of security, defense and new sorts of dangers are also examined.

The contributions to this edition have been submitted by a number of outstanding personalities, from among Indian researchers, politicians and journalists. Assembling this exceptional collection was possible thanks to the efforts of Dr. Klaus VOLL, FEPS Special Consultant on Asia, who together with Dr. Ernst STETTER, FEPS Secretary General heralds this issue with its “Foreword”.

Dr. Ania SKRZYPEK
Managing Editor of “Queries”

A decade into the new century, Europe is beset by a striking mood of social pessimism. 49% of EU citizens believe they will be worse off in 20 years time, with majorities perceiving the rise of emerging economies as direct threats to their living standards. Such anxiety presents a particularly dehabilitating political problem for social democracy. Historically, the promise of social progress has been a powerful force in all of its projects, and a cornerstone to the movement’s political offer. Overwhelming disbelief in the primacy of political ideas and the ability of politicians to make a difference has translated into voter resignation and subsequently to widespread withdrawal from political life.

Contents:
The contributions to this issue of Queries are the results of a symposium that took place in London in March this year as a joint contribution to the FEPS Next Left research programme and Policy Network – Wiardi Beckman Stichting Amsterdam Process. The political circumstances and academic inspiration that dictated the theme and framed the debate are reflected upon in the foreword of Ernst STETTER and in the introductory texts by Alfred GUSENBAUER, Olaf CRAMME and René CUPERUS, and Patrick DIAMOND. Outlining an agenda based on three-pillars, this issue aspires to contribute to a debate on both the future of Europe and the renewal of social democracy.

The disastrous consequences of the recent financial, economic and social crisis exposed the bankruptcy of today’s’ world order, dictated by a neo-liberal ideology. Its obvious inability to respond to global challenges makes it inadequate for the 21st century. Realizing this, one needs to call for a new, feasible agenda. For progressives this call is both a challenge and a chance to present our NEXT Global Deal.

Contents:
The NEXT Global Deal opens with forewords by Ernst STETTER and Joseph STIGLITZ. The articles have been written by outstanding politicians, stakeholders and academics who all met to discuss these issues in-depth at the FEPS-IPD Conference (Washington D.C., October 2010). The echoes of this memorable debate can be found in the closing chapter of this edition.

Queries serving as a guideline in selecting themes and articles that pose the most crucial questions and can stimulate an intellectual debate, it comes with no surprise that this issue commemorates late Tony Judt and his work. As Ernst STETTER, FEPS Secretary General writes, the last book of Tony Judt, Ill Fares the Land, poses an extraordinary challenge. This very particular intellectual testament of an outstanding academic and universalist socialist encompasses a fair, though bitter, assessment of today’s world.

Contents:
The last book of Tony Judt, Ill Fares the Land touches upon the mission that a renewed social democracy must embark upon in order to reverse the negative processes corroding our societies, through respecting all the achievements of past generations and being optimistic about the chances for the progressives to succeed in the future. This motivated the title of this issue.

Since the beginning FEPS has been strongly involved in a debate on gender equality, which in fact was one of the very first projects that it established. This issue reviews the history of the struggle for gender equality in national member states, in Europe and elaborates on the progressive agenda for the future.

Contents:
Gender sensitive, progressive Europe | A commitment that arises from a century struggle | Stronger from the past, encouraging experiences | The next agenda for changing society.

In 2009, FEPS launched a call for papers addressing PhD and PhD candidates to elaborate on how they saw Europe in a decade, within the framework of its Next Left programme, run under the leadership of former Austrian Chancellor Alfred GUSENBAUER. The first release of Queries contains a selection of the most interesting pieces.

Contents:
Future of Social Europe | Changing European Society | Green Agenda for a Sustainable Europe | Europe of Democracy and Civic Participation | International Responsibility of Europe in a Global Age.