This book outlines a developing crisis of social democratic trade unionism in Western Europe and examines emerging alternatives. The authors define 'social democratic trade unionism' and its
associated party-union nexus and explain how this traditional model has been threatened by social democracy's accommodation to neoliberal restructuring and public service reform. The experience
of Sweden, Germany, Britain and France is examined and the historical rise and fall of social democratic trade unionism in each country is explored. A further chapter probes the policy and
practice of the European Trade Union Confederation. The authors critically examine the possibilities for a revival of social democratic unionism in terms of strategic policy and identity and
suggest possibilities for an alternative, radicalised political unionism. The research value of the book is highlighted by its focus on contemporary developments and its authors' intimate
knowledge of the chosen countries.
