EL MUNDO les ofrece la transcripción en inglés
del documento firmado por Tony Blair y Gerhard Schröeder
que recoge las líneas maestras de la nueva socialdemocracia,
bajo el título: Europa: La tercera vía.
II. New programmes for changed
realities
Ideas of what is left-wing should never become an ideological
straitjacket.
The politics of the New Centre and Third Way is about addressing
the concerns of people who live and cope with societies undergoing
rapid change -both winners and losers. In this newly emerging
world people want politicians
who approach issues without ideological preconceptions and who,
applying their values and principles, search for practical solutions
to their problems through honest
well-constructed and pragmatic policies. Voters who in their
daily lives have to display initiative and adaptability in the
face of economic and social change expect the same
from their governments and their politicians.
- In a world of ever more rapid globalisation and scientific
changes we need to create the conditions in which
existing businesses can prosper and adapt, and new businesses
can be set up and grow.
- New technologies radically change the nature of work and
internationalise the organisation of production. With one hand
they de-skill and make some businesses obsolete, with another
they create new business and vocational
opportunities. The most important task of modernisation is to
invest in human capital: to make the individual and businesses
fit for the knowledge-based economy of the
future.
- Having the same job for life is a thing of the past. Social
democrats must accommodate the growing demands for flexibility
-and at the same time maintain minimum social standards, help
families to cope with change and open up fresh opportunities
for those who are unable to keep pace.
- We face an increasing challenge in reconciling environmental
responsibility towards future generations with material progress
for society at large. We must marry environmental responsibility
with a modern market-based approach. In environmental protection,
the most modern technologies consume fewer resources, open up
new markets and create new jobs.
- Public expenditure as a proportion of national income has more
or less reached the limits of acceptability. Constraints on 'tax
and spend' force radical modernisation of the public sector and
reform of public services to achieve better value for money.
The public sector must actually serve the citizen: we do not
hesitate to promote the concepts of efficiency, competition and
high performance.
- Social security systems need to adapt to changes in life expectancy,
family structures and the role of women. Social democrats need
to find ways of combating the ever more pressing problems of
crime, social disintegration and drug abuse. We need to take
the lead in shaping a society with equal rights for women and
men.
- Crime is a vital political issue for modern social democrats.
We consider safety on the street to be a civil right. A policy
to make cities worth living in fosters community spirit, creates
new jobs and makes residential areas safer.
- Poverty remains a central concern, especially among families
with children. We need specific measures for those who are most
threatened by marginalisation and social exclusion.
This also requires a modern approach to government:
- The state should not row, but steer: not so much control, as
challenge. Solutions to problems must be joined up.
- Within the public sector bureaucracy at all levels must be
reduced, performance targets and objectives formulated, the quality
of public services rigorously monitored, and bad performance
rooted out.
- Modern social democrats solve problems where they can best
be solved. Some problems can now only be tackled at European
level: others, such as the recent financial crises, require increased
international co-operation. But, as a general principle, power
should be devolved to the lowest possible level.
For the new politics to succeed, it must promote a go-ahead mentality
and a new entrepreneurial spirit at all
levels of society. That requires:
- a competent and well-trained workforce eager and ready to take
on new responsibilities
- a social security system that opens up new opportunities and
encourages initiative, creativity and readiness to take on new
challenges
- a positive climate for entrepreneurial independence and initiative.
Small businesses must become easier to set up and better able
to survive
- we want a society which celebrates successful entrepreneurs
just as it does artists and footballers - and which values creativity
in all spheres of life.
Our countries have different traditions in dealings between state,
industry, trade unions and social groups, but we share a conviction
that traditional conflicts at the workplace must be overcome.
This, above all, means rekindling a spirit of community and solidarity,
strengthening partnership and dialogue between all groups in
society and developing a new consensus for change and reform.
We want all groups in society to share our joint commitment to
the new directions set out in this Declaration.
Immediately upon taking office, the new Social Democratic government
in Germany gathered the top representatives of the political
sector, the business community and the unions around the table
to forge an Alliance for Jobs, Training and Competitiveness.
- We want to see real partnership at work, with employees having
the opportunity of sharing the rewards of success with employers.
- We support modern trade unions protecting individuals against
arbitrary behaviour, and working in co-operation with employers
to manage change and create long-term prosperity.
- In Europe -under the umbrella of a European employment pact
- we will strive to pursue an ongoing dialogue with the social
partners that supports, not hinders, necessary economic change.