Online debate "Social Democracy in times of fear" based on Tony Judt's "Ill Fares the Land"
On 7 August 2010 Tony Judt passed away. In the course of the last months Judt, a well-known British social scientist has, despite his illness, published some inspiring theses on the future of the Centre-Left. On 19 October 2009 Tony Judt gave a speech at New York University in which focused on the history and the future perspective of a “Social Democracy of Fear”. His essay was published in the New York Review of Books. In addition, Judt published his book “Ill Fares the Land”. Based on both publications, the Wiardi Beckman Foundation, a Dutch Think Tank associated with the Dutch Labour Party PvDA, started an online debate. In cooperation with the Wiardi Beckman Foundation and the Berliner Republik we will publish controversial articles and commentaries referring to the issues raised by Judt. All following articles can be found in our Progressive Forum. We invite you to contribute your thoughts, suggestions and criticism to the debate.
Progress in an age of fear?
5 July 2010. Tobias Dürr warns of paralysing fears in times of crisis. Social Democracy must not limit itself on enshrining the status quo, but has to progress in a creative process of renewal . The Essay
One cannot look forward in the rearview mirror (Im Rückspiegel sieht man nicht nach vorne)
5 July 2010. Ernst Hillebrand criticises the complete lack of a future-oriented dimension and notices Tony Judt's dejection. The Essay in German
Tony's Blues
5 July 2010. Hans Wansink has a decisive opposite position claiming that Tony Judt's work is largely irrelevant. Historian and social scientist Judt often takes the easy option and lacks accuracy. The Essay in German
Judt asks the right questions (Judt stellt die richtigen Fragen)
5 July 2010. In the course of our online debate "Social Democracy in times of fear" Frans Timmermanns declares "Ill Fares the Land" by Tony Judt a compulsory book. Although his suggestions are often quite vague, the well-known social scientist initiates overdue discussions. The Essay in German
Obituary for Tony Judt
9 August 2010. Renowned social scientist Tony Judt died after a long and hard illness in August 2010. New York Review of Books offers a comprehensive dossier of his works. The obituary in the New York Times illuminates his career and his oftentimes controversial assumptions.
Interview of the German weekly die ZEIT with Tony Judt: We need an ethical view of the world (ZEIT-Interview mit Tony Judt: Wir brauchen eine ethische Weltsicht)
12 August 2010. In an interview with Jörg Lau for the German weekly die ZEIT, Tony Judt - shortly before his death - uttered severe criticism on the weakness of the European Union and on the current policies of Barack Obama, which he deems too similar to George W. Bush's at times. The Interview in German