1. Left-wing parties in European politics Current trends in European politics April 12th, 2018 Heikki Paloheimo

2. The concept of political left
Origin of the conception
French revolution: National Constituent Assembly
Reforming the society vs. sticking to the present
Political left as representatives of socialist ideas
Political left as representatives of
Equality, social justice, freedom

3. Historical stages of political left in Europe in modern times
First political left
Democratization of the political system
Representative democracy
Second political left
Socialist movement and parties
Third political left
Green movement
Red-green movements

4. Types of left-wing parties
Social democratic parties
Radical left parties (Far left parties)
Communist parties
Green parties

5. Support for selected party groups in the last general election in Western European countries % of votes
Data source:

6. The golden age of social democracy in Western Europe
Rising share in industrial workers in the labour force
Keynesian economic policy: legitimized active government intervention in the markets
Economic policy activism was conducive to social partnership in the labour markets
Social democrats started to look at the state as a neutral institution for implementing various policy goals.
International covenants and national legislation on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESC rights)

7. Support for Social Democratic parties in general elections in Western Europe as a percentage of votes Average for , and difference
Data source: Parties and elections in Europe <

8. The crisis and decline of social democracy in Western Europe
Diminishing share of industrial workers in the labour force
As a result of changes in industrial structure the relations between social democratic parties and trade unions have loosened
Party membership has declined
In the discussion on the non-desired effects of the welfare state social democratic parties have been internally divided and have given initiatite to centre-right and green parties
The unpleasant economic side effects of globalization in Western Europe have hit most social groups that have been typical supporters of left-wing parties
Modern welfare state as well as modern economies support individual ways to integrate into social, political and economic life
On the macro level: social democratic policy programs have been mainly policies on a national level. Visions for social democracy on the international level are vague. Socialist International is effectively dead.

9. Support for party groups in European Parliament elections
Data source: Wolfram Nordsieck: Parties and Elections in Europe. Nordenstedt: Books on Demand

10. The phase of globalization and counter-democracy
Neo-liberalist globalization
Liberalization of capital markets
A new division of power relations
From national to international
From political institutions to economic institutions

11. Counter-Democracy Pierre Rosanvallon: Counter-Democracy.
Cambridge University Press 2008

12. The phase of globalization and counter-democracy
Collapse of the socialist regimes
Emigration of smoke pipe industry from developed countries to poor countries
Transformation of developed industrial societies into service societies
Fiscal problems of the Western European welfare states
Automatic rises in welfare expenditures
Tax competition in open markets
Growing public deficits

13. The phase of globalization and counter-democracy
Decreasing trust on governing institutions
New divisions in the party systems
Decline of social democratic parties
Rising support for populist parties
Declining support for social democratic parties
Identity crisis of social democratic parties
New political activism in the spirit of counter-democracy

14. States with member parties and observers in European Green Party

15. Support for green and ecological parties
Data source:

16. Left wing parties in the European Parliament
292 meps out of 751 meps

17. Communist parties in the European Parliament European parliament election 2014
To sum up: 15 members out of 751

18. Support for left-wing parties in Central and Eastern Europe: aggregate figures for 20 CEE countries
Source:

19. Support for political parties in Greece

20. Support for political parties in France

21. Support for political parties in Spain

22. Support for political parties in Hungary
Source:

23. Support for political parties in Poland
Source:

24. Literature