Hard Choices: Social Democracy in the Twenty-First Century

‘An exceptionally intelligent, judicious and astute analysis of social democracy's past, present, and alternative futures. Avoiding both easy criticisms and bromide solutions, Pierson adds much needed clarity to the raging debate about the third way and social democracy. Hard Choices should be required reading not only for students, but for political leaders and policymakers as well! 'Joel Krieger, Norma Wilentz Hess Professor of Political Science, Wellesley College

"Well-written, witty and mercifully free of jargon, Hard Choices represents a compelling addition to the literature on social democracy." John Bartle, University of Essex

"[The book] offers an excellent sketch of the current backdrop to and arguments over social democratic policy options, and helpfully resists the temptation to offer us a one-size-fits-all guide for all countries where social democracy is struggling to remain relevant and distinctive...'Hard choices' should be of interest to a broad audience of social scientists and general readers interested in whether social democratic policy options can withstand the end of history...again."David Laycock, Canadian Journal of Political Science

"Christopher Pierson's careful, balanced review of the various debates surrounding the philosophy, policy and strategy of social democracy performs the important service of making clear precisely how much social democrats have conceded to the right in the course of this discussion...it is an excellent contribution to the debate about the future of social democracy, offering a sensible clear-headed antidote to the wild simplifications present in much of the 'third way' genre" Ben Jackson, Democratization

"An essential read for the political science student." Brigadier Rahul K Bhonsle, SM, U.S.I. Journal