The Progressive Century The Future of the Centre-Left in Britain [Hardcover]

Can Labour and the Liberal Democrats redefine politics to make the 21st Century a progressive century? Can the centre-left find a common cause to tackle the alienation from politics, the globalisation of power, the need to modernise public services and the will to face up to the environmental challenges? Will the centre-left unite to change the voting system and win the case for Britain entering the single currency? Will the centre-left give real priority to family life and the tackling of discrimination against women? These are some of the questions that are tackled in this topical and controversial book, which brings together leading politicians, journalists, academics and thinkers. Contributors include Robin Cook, Menzies Campbell, Lord Ashdown, Harriet Harman, Ruth Kelly, Peter Mandelson, Don MacIntyre, Steve Richards, Anna Coote, Polly Toynbee, Matthew Taylor, Kirsty Milne, Don Foster and Chris Huhne.Foreword by Roy Jenkins Introduction: The Progressive Century: Ours to Make; N.Lawson & N.Sherlock PART I: THE CASE AND THE PROSPECTS FOR PROGRESSIVE POLITICS Liberalism and Social Democracy; T.Wright The Threat of the Right; S.Twigg & A.Pakes Do Two Tribes Have to War?; D.MacIntyre Blair's Progressive Paradox; S.Richards Is There a Progressive Electorate?; D.Cowling PART II: GIVING GOVERNMENT LEGITIMACY: NEW STRUCTURES AND CULTURE FOR A NEW CENTURY The Second Wave of Constitutional Reform; P.Giddy The Sociological Foundations of Pluralist Politics; M.Rustin Politics with a Purpose: Reforming the House of Commons; P.Riddell & G.Power A Third Sector as Well as a Third Way; O.Grender & K.Parminter Scotland: An Experiment in New Politics; K.Milne Progressive Councils: The Case for Collaborative Local Politics; D.Sullivan & A.Stevens PART III: THE ISSUES FOR THE NEW CENTURY Progressive Economics: Trust the People; C.Huhne The Globalisation of Power; Lord Ashdown Socialising Markets; P.Collins Making Society Just; D.Foster Sustaining Development; R.Llã