But how much of this rhetoric is underpinned by a coherent political vision? Are the policies associated with advocates of the ‘New Middle' or ‘Third Way' consistent with the promise of a fairer society? What are the principles which should shape the progressive reform agenda of the 21st century?

In this book, Henry Tam brings together a distinguished team of social and political theorists from America and Europe to address these questions. Discussion is centred around the growth of corporate power, the alienation of citizens from political discourse, the key progressive ideals needed to guide effective reforms and possible policy options.

Finally, the team argues that globalization is creating new forms of instability and injustice which can only be rectified by action across national boundaries. Together they set out how progressive politics should respond to the social, economic and environmental challenges of the global age.