The Third Way: New Political and Ideological Frameworks of Social Politics

Ideja trećeg puta smatra se značajnom promjenom gledanja na društvo i politiku. Za formiranje ideje podjednako je zaslužna politička praksa i nastanak novih teorijskih koncepcija od kojih se posebno analizira koncepcija A. Giddensa i njegov utjecaj na politiku trećeg puta. Najznačajniji smisao te teorijske koncepcije njeno je formuliranje osnovnih promjena modernog društva, a njena najznačajnija posljedica je redefiniranje i transformacija socijalne države. U tome nestaju ideološke i koncepcijske razlike između liberalizma i socijaldemokracije. Upozorava se na pokušaje internacionalizacije politike trećeg puta približavanjem zemalja u kojima se na vlasti nalaze socijalni reformatori. Posebno se analizira formulacija trećeg puta u radovima T. Blaira i njegov zajednički manifest s G. Schröderom. U članku se razmatraju i teorijske koncepcije A. Giddenssa, osobito njegovo shvaćanje teorije društvene strukturacije i pronalaze veze između njegovih ranijih radova i sadašnje formulacije problema nove socijalne stratifikacije, globalizacije, novog društva rizika i novih oblika individualizacije. U drugom dijelu rada razmatraju se osnovni pojmovi i teze teorije trećeg puta. Analizira se pojam i socijalne posljedice procesa globalizacije. Globalizacija nije svodiva na njene ekonomske i političke aspekte, budući da su njene posljedice evidentno društvene. Razmatra se i novo određenje demokracije i nova uloga civilnog društva u dinamiziranju demokracije. Upozorava se na značenje socijalnog partnerstva u djelovanju moderne države te na proces individualizacije. Autor smatra da se u određenju pojma trećeg puta radi o rekonceptualizaciji političkih prioriteta. Upozorava da se politički prioriteti mijenjaju te da treći put prepoznaje sasvim praktične i pozitivne posljedice neoliberalnih reformi i ne želi se odreći tih uspjeha, ali uz to pokazuje senzibilnost prema socijalnim posljedicama. Smatra da i liberalizam i socijaldemokracija iz krize smisla i ciljeva svoje političke filozofije izlaze redefinirajući svoje pokrete i politička polazišta prema novim fenomenima suvremenog svijeta. U prepoznavanju novih znakova vremena, novih i budućih problema, novih i osvježenih političkih programa više je sličnosti nego razlika. I liberali i socijaldemokrati na sličan način rekonceptualiziraju promjene modernog svijeta: globalizaciju smatraju pozitivnom i potiču slobodu trgovine, individualizaciju smatraju neizbježnom i poželjnom, potiču emancipaciju žena i slobodu individualnog izbora, demokratizaciju, ideologije smatraju dogmatskim teretima, traže načine da se približe civilnom društvu i smatraju birokraciju (i državnu i stranačku) prevladanom i negativnom.The idea of the third way is considered to be a significant change in how society and politics are viewed. Political practice and the appearance of new theoretical concepts, of which A. Giddens\u27s concept and its effect on third-way politics is analysed in particular, are responsible for the formation of this idea. The most significant point in this theoretical concept is its formulation of the basic changes in modern society, and its most significant consequence is the redefinition and transformation of the social state. In this area, the ideological and conceptual differences between liberalism and social democracy disappear. Attempts to internationalise third-way politics through closer contacts between countries, where social reformers are in power, are emphasised. The formulation of the third way is analysed particularly in works by T. Blair and in his common manifesto with G. Schröder. A. Giddens\u27s theoretical concepts are also discussed in the paper, especially his understanding of the theory of social structuring. Links are also found between his earlier works and the current formulation of the issues of new social stratification, globalisation, the new society of risk and new forms of individualisation. The second part of the paper tackles the basic terms and theses of third-way theory. The term globalisation and its social consequences are analysed. Globalisation cannot be reduced merely to its economic and political aspects, since its consequences are evidently social. A new definition of democracy and the new role of civil society in making democracy more dynamic are also discussed. Attention is also directed to the significance of social partnership in the activities of a modern state and in the process of individualisation. It is the author\u27s opinion that in defining the term the third way there is a re-conceptualisation of political priorities. He points out that political priorities are changing and that the third way recognises the utterly practical and positive consequences of neo-liberal reforms and does not wish to waive these achievements, but also shows sensitivity to its social consequences. The author believes that both liberalism and social democracy are emerging from the crises in the meaning and aims of their political philosophy by redirecting their movements and political starting points in line with the new phenomena of the contemporary world. In recognising the new signs of the times, the new problems and the problems of the future, the new and invigorating political programmes, it is seen there are more similarities than differences between the liberals and the social democrats. Both re-conceptualise in a similar manner the changes in the modern world: they see globalisation as positive and they stimulate free trade, they regard individualisation as inevitable and desirable. They both support the emancipation of women and the freedom of individual choice, democratisation, regard ideology as a dogmatic burden, look for ways to come closer to a civil society and think of (both state and party) bureaucracy as negative and a thing of the past