Anthony Giddens calls for continued belief in ideologies

At the beginning of the election campaign Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti declared that the distinction between a left- and right-wing ideology was obsolete. But this distinction is now more important then ever, the British sociologist Anthony Giddens writes in the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: "The debate about terms like 'right' and 'left' being antiquated is based on the misconception that in today's world there is no longer any need for ideologies, parties, governments. ... I believe on the contrary that the need for politics is greater than ever today, because global problems like the dramatic economic and financial crises and climate change show that only targeted, collective action by an international government leadership can save our planet. ... I believe that this is possible with the help of authentic left-wing reformism [a renewal of social democracy]. ... Europe has the potential to emerge not just sturdier and more consolidated, but even stronger than the US from the crisis. Provided, that is, we put more rather than less faith in politics and continue to believe that 'right' and 'left' still have a meaning."

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