The European Radical Left
Movements and Parties since the 1960s
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Pluto Press
Published:20th Dec '21
Should be back in stock very soon
This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Hardback£85.00(9780745340517)
This book explores the evolution of radical left parties in Europe, examining key political moments from the late 1960s to the late 2000s, including The European Radical Left.
In The European Radical Left, Giorgos Charalambous provides a comprehensive historical analysis of radical left parties and movements across Europe from the late 1960s to the anti-austerity movements of the late 2000s. He poses critical questions about the evolution of the left, asking whether there is truly anything 'new' about today's movements. Through a careful examination of three pivotal periods of political upheaval, Charalambous challenges the conventional narrative of a 'new left', highlighting the continuities that connect contemporary movements with their historical predecessors.
The first period explored is the 'Long '68', marked by the May uprisings in France, which catalyzed the emergence of new left forces. During this time, younger activists began to critique traditional communist and socialist parties, seeking alternative paths for radical change. The analysis then transitions to the turn of the millennium, when the Global Justice Movement gained traction, reshaping the landscape of the international left and introducing new ideas and strategies.
Finally, the book addresses the aftermath of the 2008 financial crash, a turning point that sparked a resurgence of anti-austerity politics. This period saw the rise of new left parties like Podemos in Spain and Syriza in Greece. By employing a unique 'two-level' perspective, Charalambous evaluates the interplay between social movements and party politics, offering valuable insights into identities, rhetoric, and organization within the radical left. The European Radical Left is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of contemporary leftist movements.
'A rare and nothing less than perfect example of the Radical Left in Europe. It not only helps one to understand the cauldron of European politics but also contributes to a much needed (re) interpretation of the political itself'
-- Michalis Spourdalakis, Emeritus Professor, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens'The concept of ‘newness’ framing Charalambous’ sophisticated historical sociology, magnifies the significance of the New Left for subsequent mobilisations and gives serious consideration to anarchism in movement activism’
-- Ruth Kinna, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Loughborough University'This interesting volume investigates the identity, rhetoric and organisation of the radical left, looking at the legacies of the past, but also to the capacity for innovation during three recent waves of protest’
-- Donatella Della Porta, Professor of Political Science and Dean of the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences at the Scuola Normale Superiore, Florence'Astutely follows debates surrounding radical democracy, solidarity, internationalism, universalism, nationalism and anti-capitalism. Anyone interested in the trajectory of the European radical left will benefit enormously from reading this volume'
-- Stefan Berger, Professor of Social History and Director of the Institute for Social Movements at Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum, Germany‘Proposes a new way to understand the European radical left […] An exciting work of scholarship, a very fresh approach’
-- Gerassimos Moschonas, Professor of Comparative Politics, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Greece'The ‘radical left’ has often been seen as marginal. This fascinating book reconceives it as a political family important to European political development in general. It will make readers think differently’
-- George Ross, Professor Emeritus of Labour and Social Thought, Brandeis University, US'The broad historical and intellectual sweep of this work opens the door to a new multifaceted analysis of the radical left. A valuable tool for understanding what is possible for the left in this tumultuous age'
-- Kate Hudson, General Secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear DisarmaISBN: 9780745340524
Dimensions: 215mm x 135mm x 25mm
Weight: 366g
368 pages