Is Social Democracy Still Possible – or Permissible – in Europe Today?

[polly7]

By Jérôme Roos
Source: teleSUR English
January 7, 2015

Greece and Spain find themselves in a six-year depression.

The original welfare state emerged in circumstances diametrically opposed to those found in the eurozone today. To truly transform Europe, more radical action will be necessary.

In his latest article on the rise of Syriza and Podemos, Paul Mason writes that “something big and real is happening in European politics.” The Channel 4 economics editor is convinced that in Greece and Spain “a new form of social democracy is being born.” While I agree with Mason that the economic programs of the two leftist parties reflect a moderate Keynesianism, I do not share his optimism about the resurgence of social democracy in the eurozone – even in a new form.

The stellar rise of Alexis Tsipras in Greece and Pablo Iglesias in Spain is undoubtedly a positive development. If the frightened denunciations from the right are anything to go by, “something big and real” must indeed be afoot. Unlike most other liberal democracies, voters in Greece and Spain are now actually presented with a real choice: between continuing the status quo of life-ravaging austerity and electing a motley crew of leftist academics and activists who intend to put a definite end to it.

If Merkel and Schäuble refuse the demands of the radical left in Greece and Spain, which they will most certainly do, the only choice left for Tsipras and Iglesias would be to either continue the austerity measures they set out to overthrow, or to unilaterally default, exit the eurozone and go it alone. The battle lines are already being drawn and it is now rapidly becoming clear that these will be the terms on which the struggle is to be waged. In anticipation of the Greek elections on January 25, German officials have been quietly informing the press that Merkel is no longer opposed to a Greek exit from the eurozone, as all necessary provisions have been made to prevent contagion.

At any rate, it should now be self-evident that the current German government will never tolerate sensible Keynesian policies within its sphere of influence, which now spans virtually the entire continent. The chances that two small and inexperienced leftist parties from two thoroughly weakened peripheral states will succeed in transforming the 19-member currency union from within are virtually nil. The euro has become a fetter to millions — just as it was designed to be. It urgently needs to make way for alternative currencies capable of supporting a truly transformative social and political project.

Full article: https://zcomm.org/znetarticle/the-great-greek-german-game-of-chicken-has-begun/

[sabrina 1]

1. I think so. History shows that the world seems to go through phases.

Looking back at history, we probably don't grasp how long some of those phases lasted. And today things are speeded up quite a bit.

After years of the devastating Neo-Liberal policies imposed by Wall St/Neoliberals, and neocon wars, I think finally the signs are showing that people have had ENOUGH.

I hope Greece leads the way. That poor country has been decimated by these criminals, much as they did in Argentina in the '90s.

And airc, the people of Greece tried from the beginning to stop them with huge protests almost on a daily basis.

But they were betrayed by their politicians.

Iceland otoh, after the Wikileaks revelations of their corrupt and criminal Banks and Politicians, ignore all the warnings that if they arrested the crooks they would collapse, is the ONLY country who DID arrest them and the ONLY one that rebounded.

Keeping fingers crossed for the people of Greece and the rest of the European countries destroyed by these geniuses.

[polly7]

2. I'm with you ...... my fingers are also crossed.

The protests in Greece haven't stopped and the people have had enough. Austerity and what it brings with it - the climbing suicide rates, extreme poverty ... I'm not sure how long any gov't or organization thinks millions of people can take it - but then they really don't care, or it wouldn't be such an issue in the first place. Greedy psychopaths feeding at the trough of suffering.