Publikation in englischer Sprache
The “New Social Deal” proposal that emerges on the pages of this book is about redefining the mission of the progressives in a way, in which they can become instrumental as a political force in creating a new compromise. It must bring new equilibrium between financial capitalism and aspirations of our societies. The “Deal” must serve ambitious goal of emancipating in socio-economic and political sense the individuals, making them herewith empowered to regain ability to shape their lives and acquire democratic control over politics.
The “New Social Deal” breaks myths, which often blur the picture progressives hold of themselves. While it paves the way to the crisis-aftermath era, it also asks boldly the questions about sustainability of the solutions – which social democracy has been presenting in the past. Redefining values, redefining vision of welfare society, redefining progressive alliance – these ideas are deliberated on the pages of this book with a core message “Progressivism is and must be about political choices. Even, or especially if they are hard. It must be about the future – the future that we want to shape, the future that we want all of us and our societies to live in.”
The “New Social Deal” is a call that reminds that progressive movement has always been an answer to a specific social question. And especially before the next European elections we must be very clear what this question is. We need to seek ways to restore a communitarian fabric of our societies herewith, to bridge between different groups and individuals. If we fail to do so, those who are to win, are those who play on people’s fears. Already now so many believe that situation is hopeless and that they can do nothing to change it. If it continuous, the result of that will be electoral disaster – through which even more fragmented, even more inhabited by populists and extremists European Parliament would emerge. We cannot allow that – this is the responsibility that we carry as a pro-European and democratic movement.