Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-c4f8m Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-23T08:50:02.904Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Will to power? Intra-party conflict in social democratic parties and the choice for neoliberal policies in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain (1980–2010)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 June 2012

Paul Marx  and
Gijs Schumacher
Paul Marx*
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and Public Management, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark Research Fellow, IZA, Bonn, Germany
Gijs Schumacher
Affiliation:
Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Political Science and Public Management, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Political Science, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
*
*E-mails: marx@sam.sdu.dk, gijs@sam.sdu.dk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Why do social democrats choose neoliberal labor market policies? Since social democrats are typically punished for welfare state retrenchment and because these policies do not equate well with social democratic egalitarian principles, it is difficult to see what they gain from it. We argue that, depending on the intra-party balance of power between activists and leaders, some parties are office-seeking, whereas others are policy-seeking. This behavioral difference explains why some parties are responsive to environmental incentives such as the economy and public opinion (office-seeking parties) and others are responsive to policy-motivated activists (policy-seeking parties). Using three case studies of social democratic parties (Germany, the Netherlands and Spain) in the period 1980–2010, we analyze when and why these parties introduced neoliberal reforms. The study shows that office-seeking parties introduce neoliberal measures if the risk of losing votes due to an underperforming economy becomes larger than the risk of losing votes due to the mobilization of unions and opposition parties. Policy-seeking social democrats retain a social democratic ideology, unless prolonged failure to win office empowers pragmatic leaders to push through office-seeking strategies.

Keywords

social democratic partieswelfare reformparty organization
Type
Research Article
Information
European Political Science Review , Volume 5 , Issue 1 , March 2013 , pp. 151 - 173
Copyright
Copyright © European Consortium for Political Research 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Allan, J.P.Scruggs, L. (2004), ‘Political partisanship and welfare state reform in advanced industrial societies’, American Journal of Political Science 48: 496–512.Google Scholar
Amable, B., Gatti, D.Schumacher, J. (2006), ‘Welfare-state retrenchment: the partisan effect revisited’, Oxford Review of Economic Policy 22: 426–444.Google Scholar
Bleich, A. (1986), Een Partij in de Tijd. Veertig jaar Partij van de Arbeid 1946–1986, Amsterdam: Arbeiderpers.Google Scholar
Budge, I.Laver, M. (1986), ‘Office seeking and policy pursuit in coalition theory’, Legislative Studies Quarterly 11: 485–506.Google Scholar
Conradt, D.P. (2010), ‘The shrinking elephants. The 2009 elections and the changing party system’, German Politics and Society 28: 25–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Debus, M. (2008), ‘Unfulfilled promises? German social democrats and their policy positions at the federal and state level between 1994 and 2006’, Journal of Elections, Public Opinions and Parties 18: 201–224.Google Scholar
Duch, R.M.Stevenson, R.T. (2008), The Economic Vote. How Political and Economic Institutions Condition Election Results, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Ebbinghaus, B.Eichhorst, W. (2009), ‘Employment regulation and labor market policy in Germany, 1991–2005’, in P.D. Beer and T. Schils (eds), The Labour Market Triangle Employment Protection, Unemployment Compensation and Activation in Europe, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 119–144.Google Scholar
Egle, C.Henkes, C. (2004a), ‘In search of social democracy – explaining the politics and policies of the Schröder government 1998–2002’, in S.Haseler and H.Meyer (eds), Reshaping Social Democracy. Labour and the SPD in the New Century, London: European Research Forum at London Metropolitan University, pp. 163–191.Google Scholar
Egle, C.Henkes, C. (2004b), ‘Später Sieg der Modernisierer über die Traditionalisten? Die Programmdebatte der SPD’, in C. Egle, T. Ostheim and R. Zohlnhöfer (eds), Das Rot-Grüne Projekt. Eine Bilanz der Regierung Schröder 1998–2002, Wiesbaden: Westdeutscher Verlag, pp. 67–92.Google Scholar
Eichhorst, W.Marx, P. (2011), ‘Reforming german labor market institutions: a dual path to flexibility’, Journal of European Social Policy 21: 73–87.Google Scholar
Encarnación, O.G. (2006), ‘Spain's new left turn: society driven or party instigated’, South European Society and Politics 14: 399–415.Google Scholar
Field, B.N. (2006), ‘Transitions to democracy and internal party rules. Spain in comparative perspective’, Comparative Politics 39: 83–102.Google Scholar
Gillespie, R. (1993), ‘“Programa 2000”: the appearance and reality of socialist renewal in Spain’, in R. Gillespie and W. E. Paterson (eds), Rethinking Social Democracy in Western Europe, London: Frank Cass & Co, pp. 78–97.Google Scholar
Green-Pedersen, C.Van Kersbergen, K. (2002), ‘The politics of the ‘third way’. The transformation of social democracy in Denmark and the Netherlands’, Party Politics 8: 507–524.Google Scholar
Green-Pedersen, C., Van Kersbergen, K.Hemerijck, A. (2001), ‘Neo-liberalism, the ‘third-way’, or what? Recent social democratic welfare policies in Denmark and the Netherlands’, Journal of European Public Policy 8: 307–325.Google Scholar
Gutiérrez, R.Guillén, A.M. (2000), ‘Protecting the long-term unemployed. The impact of targeting policies in Spain’, European Societies 2: 195–216.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hillebrand, R.Irwin, G.A. (1999), ‘Changing strategies: the dilemma of the Dutch Labour Party’, in W.C. Muller and K. Strom (eds), Policy, Office, or Votes? How Political Parties in Western Europe make Hard Decisions, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 112–141.Google Scholar
Harmel, R., Heo, U., Tan, A.Janda, K. (1995), ‘Performance, leadership, factions and party change: an empirical analysis’, West European Politics 18: 1–33.Google Scholar
Huber, E.Stephens, J.D. (2001), Developments and Crisis of the Welfare State: Parties and Policies in Global Markets, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Kitschelt, H. (1994), The Transformation of European Social Democracy, New York: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Kitschelt, H. (2001), ‘Partisan competition and welfare state retrenchment. When do politicians choose unpopular policies?’, in P. Pierson (ed.), The New Politics of the Welfare State, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 265–304.Google Scholar
Kittel, B.Obinger, H. (2003), ‘Political parties, institutions, and the dynamics of social expenditure in times of austerity’, Journal of European Public Policy 10: 20–45.Google Scholar
Klitgaard, M.B. (2007), ‘Why are they doing it? Social democracy and market-oriented welfare state reforms’, West European Politics 30: 172–194.Google Scholar
Koole, R.Leijenaar, M. (1988), ‘The Netherlands: the predominance of regionalism’, in M. Gallagher and M. Marsh (eds), Candidate Selection in Comparative Perspective, London: SAGE, pp. 205–225.Google Scholar
Korpi, W. (1983), The Democratic Class Struggle, London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Korpi, W. (2003), ‘Welfare-state regress in Western Europe: politics, institutions, globalization, and Europeanization’, Annual Review of Sociology 29: 589–609.Google Scholar
Korte, K.R. (2007), ‘Der Pragmatiker des Augenblicks: Das Politikmanagement von Bundeskanzler Gerhard Schröder 2002–2005’, in C. Egle and R. Zohlnhöfer (eds), Ende des rot-grünen Projektes. Eine Bilanz der Regierung Schröder 2002–2005, Wiesbaden: VS Verlag, pp. 168–196.Google Scholar
Laver, M.Hunt, W.B. (1992), Policy and Party Competition, London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Levy, J.D. (1999), ‘Vice into virtue? Progressive politics and welfare reform in continental Europe’, Politics and Society 27: 239–274.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lucardie, P.Voerman, G. (1989), Kroniek 1989. Overzicht van de partijpolitieke gebeurtenissen van het jaar 1989, Groningen: Documentatiecentrum Nederlandse Politieke Partijen.Google Scholar
Mato, J.F. (2011), ‘Spain – fragmented unemployment protection in a segmented labour market’, in J. Clasen and D. Clegg (eds), Regulating the Risk of Unemployment. National Adaptations to Post-industrial Labour Markets in Europe, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 164–186.Google Scholar
Méndez Lago, M. (2006), ‘Turning the page: crisis and transformation of the Spanish Socialist Party’, South European Society and Politics 11: 419–437.Google Scholar
Merkel, W.Petring, A. (2008), Social Democracy in Power: The Capacity to Reform, London/New York: Routledge.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meyer, T. (1999), ‘From Godesberg to Neue Mitte: the new social democracy in Germany’, in G. Kelly (ed.), The New European Left, London: Fabian Society, pp. 20–34.Google Scholar
Meyer, T. (2007), ‘Die blockierte Partei: Regierungspraxis und Programmdiskussion der SPD 2002–2005’, in C. Egle and R. Zohlnhöfer (eds), Ende des rot-grünen Projektes. Eine Bilanz der Regierung Schröder 2002–2005, Wiesbaden: VS Verlag, pp. 83–97.Google Scholar
Müller, W.C.Strøm, K. (1999), Policy, Office or Votes. How Political Parties in Europe make Hard Decisions, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Picot, G. (2009), ‘Party competition and reforms of unemployment benefits in Germany: how a small change in electoral demand can make a big difference’, German Politics 18: 155–179.Google Scholar
Pierson, P. (1996), ‘The new politics of the welfare state’, World Politics 48: 143–179.Google Scholar
PvdA (1987). Schuivende Panelen. Continuïteit en vernieuwing in de sociaal-democratie. Amsterdam: Huisdrukkerij PvdA.Google Scholar
PvdA (1988). Bewogen Beweging, sociaal-democratie als program en methode. Amsterdam: Huisdrukkerij PvdA.Google Scholar
Raschke, J. (2010), ‘Zerfallsphase des Schröder-Zyklus: Die SPD 2005–2009’, in C. Egle and R. Zohlnhöfer (eds), Die zweite Große Koalition. Eine Balanz der Regierung Merkel 2005–2009, Wiesbaden: VS Verlag, pp. 69–98.Google Scholar
Recio, A.Roca, J. (1998), ‘The Spanish socialists in power: thirteen years of economic policy’, Oxford Review of Economic Policy 14: 139–158.Google Scholar
Ross, F. (2000), ‘“Beyond left and right”: the new partisan politics of welfare’, Governance: An International Journal of Policy and Administration 13: 155–183.Google Scholar
Royo, S. (2000), From Social Democracy to Neoliberalism. The Consequences of Party Hegemony in Spain, 1982–1996, New York: St Martin's Press.Google Scholar
Royo, S. (2006), ‘Reforms betrayed? Zapatero and continuities in economic policy’, South European Society and Politics 14: 435–451.Google Scholar
Rueda, D. (2007), Social Democracy Inside Out: Partisanship and Labor Market Policy in Advanced Industrialized Democracies, Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Saalfeld, T. (2006), ‘Conflict and consensus in Germany's bi-cameral system: a case study of the passage of the agenda 2010’, Debatte 14: 247–269.Google Scholar
Schmidt, M.G. (1996), ‘When parties matter: a review of the possibilities and limits of partisan influence on public policy’, European Journal of Political Research 30: 155–183.Google Scholar
Schmidt, M.G. (2010), ‘Die Sozialpolitik der zweiten großen Koalition (2005 bis 2009)’, in C. Egle and R. Zohlnhöfer (eds), Die zweite Große Koalition. Eine Balanz der Regierung Merkel 2005–2009, Wiesbaden: VS Verlag, pp. 302–326.Google Scholar
Schumacher, G. (forthcoming), ‘When does the left do the right thing? A study of party position change on welfare policies’, Party Politics.Google Scholar
Schumacher, G., Vis, B., Van Kersbergen, K. (forthcoming). ‘Party's Welfare Image, Electoral Punishment and Welfare State Retrenchment’. Comparative European Politics.Google Scholar
Share, D. (1988), ‘Dilemmas of social democracy in the 1980s. The Spanish socialist workers party in comparative perspective’, Comparative Political Studies 21: 408–435.Google Scholar
Stimson, J.A., Mackuen, M.B.Erikson, R.S. (1995), ‘Dynamic representation’, American Political Science Review 89: 543–565.Google Scholar
Vail, M. (2010), ‘Left of Eden: the changing politics of economic inequality in contemporary Germany’, German Politics 18: 559–576.Google Scholar
Van Oorschot, W. (2006), ‘Making the difference in social Europe: deservingness perceptions among citizens of European welfare states’, Journal of European Social Policy 16: 23–42.Google Scholar
Van Praag, P. (1990), Strategie en Illusie. Elf Jaar intern debat in de PvdA (1966–1977), Amsterdam: Het Spinhuis, pp. 133–150.Google Scholar
Van Praag, P. (1994), ‘Conflict and cohesion in the Dutch Labour Party’, in D.S. Bell and E. Shaw (eds), Conflict & Cohesion in Western European Social Democratic Parties, London: Pinter Publishers.Google Scholar
Vis, B. (2009), ‘Governments and unpopular social policy reform: biting the bullet or steering clear?’, European Journal of Political Research 48: 31–57.Google Scholar
Von Beyme, K. (1990), ‘Gewerkschaftliche Politik in der Wirtschaftskrise I: 1973 bis 1978’, in H.-O. Hemmer and K.T. Schmitz (eds), Geschichte der Gewerkschaften in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Von den Anfängen bis heute, Köln: Bund, pp. 339–374.Google Scholar
Wolinetz, S.B. (1977), ‘The Dutch Labour Party: a social democratic party in transition’, in W.E. Paterson and A.H. Thomas (eds), Social Democratic Parties in Western Europe, London: Croom Helm, pp. 342–388.Google Scholar
Wolinetz, S.B. (1993), ‘Reconstructing dutch social democracy: programmatic and organisational review in the Dutch Labour Party’, West European Politics 12: 97–111.Google Scholar
Zohlnhöfer, R. (2003), ‘Partisan politics, party competition and veto players: German economic policy in the Kohl era’, Journal of Public Policy 23: 123–156.Google Scholar