“…"This volume examines the fortunes of social democracy in Western and East-Central Europe and the policy challenges in economic policy, labour markets, social welfare, public services, European integration and decentralisation. …”

“…This volume provides the first in-depth and comparative analysis of the views and policies of nine European Social Democratic parties concerning economic governance under Europe's new single currency and of the impact of the new political and institutional constellation in the EU on the process of economic integration and European social democracy."…”

“…Far from being doomed to decline, social democracy's success depends on its ability to transform its political message and to construct new electoral coalitions."…”

“…In the last decade European social democracy has ceased to be about either society or democracy. …”

“…"Following the locust years of the neo-liberal revolution, social democracy was the great victor at the fin-de-siècle elections. …”

“…"Whereas many writers and scholars interested in the field of social democracy have focused on factors such as the role of economic globalization and electoral pressures, Ashley Lavelle explores the importance of the collapse of the post-war economic boom and lower growth rates since then. …”

“…"Political history in the industrial world has indeed ended, argues this pioneering study, but the winner has been social democracy - an ideology and political movement that has been as influential as it has been misunderstood. …”