Ok Somebody please clearly explain what is meant by "Third Way" and "Third-wayers" nt

[JHB]

51. They claim that they represent a "third way" between New Deal liberalism and conservatives...

Last edited Sun Nov 9, 2014, 12:43 PM - Edit history (1)

Conservatives want a very narrow role for government (or at least claim that, as long as it doesn't affect programs they benefit from) -- no social programs and services, no regulations, just the military, courts, and protection of property (or at least their property).

Third wayers characterize liberals as pining for a bygone era, with inflexible institutions made outdated or obsolete by changing technology and trade patterns -- high taxes, lots of social services, heavy regulation, high unionization; etc. Things that Third wayers paint as stifling innovation and growth.

Third wayers characterize themselves as "centrist", "pragmatic", and "pro-business", proclaiming that has a place in the economy, but it needs to be flexible and responsive in order to meet the needs of the people without stifling business. They're for "small government", just not as small as microscopic as the conservatives would like.


The liberal critique of the Third Way is that while their position is crafted to sound reasonable, in practice they nearly always promote policies that benefit wealthy investors (who are also wealthy political donors) over working people. Third Wayers have treated union-busting, outsourcing, and offshoring of jobs regrettable but necessary while working for policies that aid companies doing that and working against policies that would reduce its attractiveness for companies. To liberals, this amounts to a program of boosting corporate profits by squeezing the people at the bottom and is nearly indistinguishable from what conservatives have been pushing for decades, which has been gutting the middle class in this country.