Details

1 Introduction: Brexit and a Pro-European Fight-back.- 2 European Integration as a Social Democratic Project.- 3 The Crisis of Social Democracy: Why Is the Mainstream Left in Europe Struggling, Electorally?.- 4 The European Union’s Crisis of Legitimacy.- 5 Social Democratic Opponents of Europe.- 6 ‘Critical Europeanism’.- 7 Conclusion: What’s Left of the European Left?.

<p><b>James L. Newell</b>&nbsp;is former Professor of Politics at the University of Salford, UK, and currently Adjunct Professor of Politics at the University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Italy. He is founding co-editor of&nbsp;the quarterly journal, <i>Contemporary Italian Politics</i>. His recent books include,&nbsp;<i>Corruption in Contemporary Politics </i>(2018),&nbsp;<i>Silvio Berlusconi: A Study in Failure</i>&nbsp;(2019), and <i>Italy’s Contemporary Politics</i><i>&nbsp;</i>(2020).</p>

<div><div>‘In this excellent book, Newell offers a sharp and compelling analysis shedding a critical light on the relationship between European integration and the crisis of social democracy.’</div><div>—<b>Arianna Giovannini</b>, Associate Professor of Local Politics and Public Policy, De Montfort University, UK</div><div><br></div><div>‘Lucidly written, and with a keen grasp of historical detail and comparative example, this is a fascinating book, essential for understanding the European left’s past and future.’</div>—<b>Luke March</b>, Professor of Post-Soviet and Comparative Politics, University of Edinburgh, UK<br></div><div><br></div><div>‘Admirably weaving three (red) threads – Brexit; European integration; the attitudes and policies of left-wing parties – Newell has written a highly commendable book.’</div><div>—<b>Gianfranco Pasquino</b>, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Bologna, Italy<br></div><div><br></div>This is a book about European integration andmainstream parties of the left, the main underlying question driving it being: Given that the communist left was fatally wounded by the collapse of the Berlin Wall; given that, since then, the terms ‘left’ and ‘right’ have not infrequently been attacked (especially by populists) as being no longer useful for making sense of politics; given that social democracy, understood as ‘national Keynesianism’ no longer appears to be viable (as reflected in its long-term electoral decline), what does it mean to be on the left in the early 21^st century and what can be done to revive its fortunes? Its answer is that being on the left means embracing principles of equality and international solidarity, and that since the nation state is too small to respond effectively to climate change and the other most pressing issues of the present, no viable strategy for left-wing revival in Europe can dispense with European integration as a central element, of which European democratisation is a core component.<p></p><p><b>James L. Newell</b>&nbsp;is former Professor of Politics at the University of Salford, UK, and currently Adjunct Professor of Politics at the University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Italy.</p><p></p>

Makes a strong case for deeper European integration from a left perspective Identifies an agenda that would reverse the downward trend of social democratic voting by embracing a new narrative Draws on scholarship about the politicization of European integration, party politics and voter alliances

<p>“This is engaged scholarship at its very best, informing a book which puts forward a passionate argument in favour of a critically pro-EU left in Europe. Highly readable and well researched, the volume is recommended to scholars, students and the general reader keen to engage with hard questions about the future of European integration. Newell makes a powerful case (particularly against left wing Eurosceptics) about the opportunities that integration offers to build more equal societies on the continent, if only we can manage to steer the process in the right direction.”</p>

—<b>Daniele Albertazzi</b>, Professor of Politics and Co-Director of the Centre for Britain and Europe, University of Surrey, UK<i></i><p></p>

<p>“Understanding Brexit, at a time when the EU is attempting to defend integration against the background of the post-Covid and Ukraine crises, is essential to comprehending the state of Western democracy and of left-wing parties. While national governments struggle toaddress complex global processes, principles of international solidarity defended by left-wing political thought seem unable to galvanise popular sentiments. It is therefore necessary to reflect, as this book does, on critical alternatives to the neo-liberal model and its attendant inequalities, and on the capacity of parties of the left to offer alternative political solutions.”</p>

<p>—<b>Marinella Belluati</b>, Associate Professor of Sociology of Media and Media Studies, University of Turin, Italy<i></i></p>

<p>“This book starts from an apparent oxymoron—being on the left and supporting Brexit—to interrogate the evolution of European integration and social-democratic parties over the past few decades. The conclusion is that “another Europe is possible” but only through more democratic institutions and increased popular participation, and that parties of the left must re-adapt their narratives of key themes such as globalisation, climate change, and migration, and re-claim progressive values such as equality and solidarity. While engaging with complex topics and addressing epochal transformations, Professor Newell has produced yet another superbly written book that captures the attention of the reader from start to end: a must read for those who want to know more about “Lexit” and ‘critical Europeanists.”</p>

<p>—<b>Maurizio Carbone</b>, Professor of International Relations and Development, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK<i></i></p>

<p>“In this excellent book, Newell offers a sharp and compelling analysis shedding a critical light on the relationship between European integration and the crisis of social democracy. In doing so, he helps us not only to understand the roots and causes of current trends of ‘decline’ for the European left and the European project at large; he also sets a roadmap for change—showing that another, <i>better </i>Europe is possible.”</p>

<p>—<b>Arianna Giovannini</b>, Associate Professor in Local Politics and Public Policy, De Montfort University, UK<i></i></p>

<p>“This book is an important and timely analysis of social democracy and European integration in the wake of Brexit. Jim Newell has a sharp eye for the contemporary challenges facing social democracy and for the tensions on the left regarding the EU. His discussion presents a clear evaluation and a set of proposals for a critical engagement with the EU.”</p>

<p>—<b>Michael Holmes</b>, Associate Professor of Political Science, ESPOL (European School of Political and Social Sciences), Université Catholique de Lille, France<i></i></p>

<p>“This truly remarkable book by Newell makes a crucial contribution when it comes to understanding the state of the European left in the early twenty-first century. Beginning with a fascinating journey into Brexit, Newell’s elegant book provides a rich account of the contemporary challenges to social democracy and how an effective response to the most pressing issues of our time requires the political left to embrace core principles of equality and international solidarity in an increasingly globalised economy. Most importantly, at a time when many turn their backs on the European Union and some of its founding values and principles, Newell’s compelling analysis of the ‘crisis of social democracy’ comes as a useful reminder that no viable strategy for left-wing revival can dispense with transnational action and European integration, and that the ability to push for European solidarity and democratisation are key to the future of the left in Europe.”</p>

<p>—<b>Gilles Ivaldi</b>, Researcher in Politics, CEVIPOF-Science Po, France<i></i></p>

<p>“Starting with an impassioned dissection of the Brexit process from a self-confessed “sore loser”, James Newell proceeds systematically to assess and rebut “Lexiteer” arguments for disengagement with the EU. Instead, he argues that the centre-left needs to place itself more than ever before at the forefront of greater pan-EU transnational co-operation. Only this way can left parties reverse their secular decline and implement historic aims of greater equality and popular empowerment. Lucidly written, and with a keen grasp of historical detail and comparative example, this is a fascinating book, essential for understanding the European left’s past and future.”</p>

<p>—<b>Luke March</b>, Professor of Post-Soviet and Comparative Politics, University of Edinburgh, UK<i></i></p>

<p>“Admirably weaving three (red) threads—Brexit; European integration; the attitudes and policies of left-wing parties—Newell has written a highly commendable book. His in-depth analysis of what is arguably one of the most important political phenomena of our times—how to put together all the European states—comes to a very important conclusion. Through popular empowerment and greater equality, another Europe will be possible. The bell tolls for left wing parties.”</p>

<p>—<b>Gianfranco Pasquino</b>, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Bologna, Italy<i></i></p>

<p>“This book focuses on the study of a highly relevant topic—the connection between the crisis of the European project and the decline of social democracy—in which a novel and profound analysis of European politics pre-and post-Brexit is deployed. Most notable is Newell’s excellent exercise in political commitment and intellectual honesty, as he seeks to answer his and others’ questions about the controversies facing the traditional left in the advanced capitalist system and globalised world of the twenty-first century. Highly recommended for scholars and experts in the European political sphere and a must for left-wing practitioners concerned with the democratic dimension of the European integration process.”</p>

<p>—<b>Carolina Plaza-Colodro</b>, Postdoctoral Researcher in Political Science, University of Salamanca, Spain<i></i></p>

<p>“Whether the left will play an important role in the future will very much depend on its ability to make a proper reading of the coming age. In his original and thought-provoking book James Newell offers no less than such a reading, convincingly arguing in favour of the enhancement of popular democracy at the European level as a way out of the left’s crisis.”</p>

<p>—<b>Matthias Scantamburlo</b>, Lecturer in Political Science Carlos III University of Madrid, Spain, and Member of the Regional Manifestos Project<i></i></p>

<p>“In this book, James Newell addresses the crisis of social democratic parties from an original angle. Through a lively and insightful discussion, the author emphasizes that the social democratic principles he highlights are (or should be) akin to the EU integration project. Among the many merits of this volume, it should be underlined that Newell eludes the enticements of scepticism or oversimplification, while offering a perspectival discussion. The author, indeed, argues that the future of social democratic parties requires an explicit reclamation of the values advocated by the European Union.”</p>

<p><i>—</i><b>Antonella Seddone</b>, Associate Professor of Politics, University of Turin, Italy<i></i></p>

<p>“This is a cogent analysis of a key issue in contemporary politics: does the process of European integration pose opportunities or constitute a barrier to the advance of social democratic values? Newell presents an incisive, lucid and well-written account of a tangle of problems raised by this question. Impressive in both the amount of information it conveys and the clarity of tis exposition, it is essential reading for all those interested in the prospects for social democracy.”</p>

<p>—<b>Eric Shaw</b>, Honorary Research Fellow in Politics, University of Stirling, UK<i></i></p>

<p>“The outbreak of the pandemic is a powerful reminder that politics matters, and that social democratic values remain as timely as ever. In a thoroughly researched new book prompted by Brexit, Newell analyses the left’s encounters with European integration over time. Adopting a critical Europeanist perspective, he invites the left to take advantage of a historic post-pandemic opportunity and place transnational democracy at the heart of a new political settlement. His call must be heeded.”</p>

<p>—<b>Dimitris Tsarouhas</b>, Visiting Associate Professor, Virginia Tech, USA and Associate Professor, Bilkent University, Turkey</p>