In Search of New Social Democracy

Törnquist draws on insights accrued over a lifetime of research to explain why reformist social movements have not made more of a difference in India, Indonesia and the Philippines. Part personal memoir, part intellectual musing, this very accessible book delves into an eclectic selection of ‘moments’ across time in each of these settings, searching for hints that a social democratic vision for a new world order could yet prevail. * Michele Ford, Professor of Southeast Asian Studies, University of Sydney, Australia *
"In Search of New Social Democracy is a must read for all wanting to understand the global crisis of Social Democracy and why adjustment to current globalization is insufficient for the rebirth of a strong progressive movement. Törnquist convincingly argues that despite the root causes of the crisis steams from an untamed market driven globalisation the answers of Social Democracy far too often set aside the global dimensions. Only through an internationalist restart – based on broad alliances, North-South partnerships and transformative strategies fighting elitist democracy – can trust and support in Social Democracy be restored. Holding important keys to the reinvention of Social Democracy I am hopeful that Törnquist’s “end-book” is not an end but rather a new beginning." * Anna Sundström, Secretary General, Olof Palme International Center, Stockholm, Sweden *
“This is an absolutely remarkable book by one of our most incisive analysts of Social Democracy’s limits and possibilities. The current volume is anchored in rigorous analytics, extensive and careful empirics, and animated by a comparative imagination (...) Based on an extensive career’s worth of work, it is part global survey of the state of Social Democracy today, part personal reflection and narrative on a career well-spent, part rich portrait of the people and collectives who seek change, and part impassioned plea that we not abandon the promise of Social Democracy. (...) I am thankful he has written it as honestly as he has, for it is not a book about endings. As he shows, Social Democracy can - and must - be reinvented to reverse setbacks of recent years and face the global challenges of the ones ahead.” * Gianpaolo Baiocchi, Professor, Global and Latin American social movements, Gallatin School, New York University, USA *
“Olle has taken on a massive project, comparing the attempts at progressive social democratic reform in four separate countries. He succeeds, combining detailed historical accounts with sweeping conclusions. He succeeds not just with exacting scholarship, but because he shares the hopes and goals of the parties he studies.” * Dr. Joel Rocamora, co-founder of the Institute for Popular Democracy and the Akbayan Party. Former head of the Philippine Anti-Poverty Commission and member of the Aquino III Cabinet. *
“In this engaging book Törnquist draws on a lifetime of research on progressive democratic politics in Indonesia, the Philippines and the Indian state of Kerala, together with his experience of activism at home in Sweden, to reflect on the prospects now for Social Democracy. Törnquist's call, finally, for broad alliances in support of rights and welfare reforms, as the basis for the renewal of Social Democracy, has a particular resonance in the context of recovery from the Covid pandemic." * John Harriss, Professor of International Studies, Simon Fraser University and Göttingen Centre for Modern Indian Studies *
“This is the best book I know to connect the post-World War II democratisation in Europe and the former colonies with that of the third wave. It is a very rare for one person to have such a long and intensive engagement with grassroots democratisation movements, in such a variety of countries, driven by such a combination of passion and intellectual rigour. The many sketches of dedicated activists the author has met over the years are delightful. (...) His highly analytical book is at the same time a personal memoir. (...) A lifetime dedicated fieldwork has given the book a historical depth that no library study or fly-in-fly-out consultancy ever have had.” * Gerry van Klinken, Professor of Southeast Asian Social and Economic History, University of Amsterdam and Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies *
“What defines Social Democracy, how has it changed over generations of struggles, what does it look like in the Global South and what are the challenges it faces going forward? These are the ambitious questions that Törnquist, building on a lifetime of fieldwork and critical reflection, tackles in this sophisticated and highly readable and engaging book. Drawing on a sweeping comparative and historical analysis as well as a grounded understanding of the contextual and political complexities of making Social Democracy work, this book is a must-read for all those who care about the contemporary crisis of global capitalism.” * Patrick Heller, Professor of Sociology and International and Public Affairs, Brown University, USA *
“In Search of New Social Democracy is an extremely timely and helpful book. It is hard to imagine solving the world's problems without an effective and powerful democratic left. Unlike most treatments that attempt to understand developments on the contemporary left, Törnquist examines social democratic movements in the global North and South, generating insights and lessons that should be of interest to scholars, practitioners and concerned citizens across the globe.” * Sheri Berman, Professor of Political Science, Barnard College, Columbia University, USA *