【Supplementary Reading】
The following is part of“Europe：The Third Way”written by Tony Blair，Labor Party Prime Minister of the United Kingdom，and Gerhard Schroeder，Social Democratic Party Prime Minister of Germany.It was issued on June 8，1999.
New Programs for Changed Realities
Ideas of what is“left⁃wing”should never become an ideological straitjacket.
The politics of the New Centre and Third Way is about addressing the concerns of people who live and cope with societies undergoing rapid change，both winners and losers.In this newly emerging world people want politicians who approach issues without ideological preconceptions and who，applying their values and principles，search for practical solutions to their problems through honest well⁃constructed and pragmatic policies.Voters who in their daily lives have to display initiative and adaptability in the face of economic and social change expect the same from their governments and their politicians.
In a world of ever more rapid globalization and scientific changes we need to create the conditions in which existing businesses can prosper and adapt，and new businesses can be set up and grow.
New technologies radically change the nature of work and internationalize the organization of production.With one hand they de⁃skill and make some businesses obsolete，with another they create new business and vocational opportunities.The most important task of modernization is to invest in human capital：to make the individual and businesses fit for the knowledge⁃based economy of the future.
Having the same job for life is a thing of the past.Social democrats must accommodate the growing demands for flexibility，and at the same time maintain minimum social standards，help families to cope with change and open up fresh opportunities for those who are unable to keep pace.
We face an increasing challenge in reconciling environmental responsibility towards future generations with material progress for society at large.We must marry environmental responsibility with a modern market⁃based approach.In environmental protection，the most modern technologies consume fewer resources，open up new markets and create new jobs.
Public expenditure as a proportion of national income has more or less reached the limits of acceptability.Constraints on“tax and spend”force radical modernization of the public sector and reform of public services to achieve better value for money.The public sector must actually serve the citizen：we do not hesitate to promote the concepts of efficiency，competition and high performance.
Social security systems need to adapt to changes in life expectancy，family structures and the role of women.Social democrats need to find ways of combating the ever more pressing problems of crime，social disintegration and drug abuse.We need to take the lead in shaping a society with equal rights for women and men.
Crime is a vital political issue for modern social democrats.We consider safety on the street to be a civil right.A policy to make cities worth living in fosters community spirit，creates new jobs and makes residential areas safer.
Poverty remains a central concern，especially among families with children.We need specific measures for those who are most threatened by marginalization and social exclusion.
This also requires a modern approach to government：
The state should not row，but steer：not so much control，as challenge.Solutions to problems must be joined up.
Within the public sector bureaucracy at all levels must be reduced，performance targets and objectives formulated，the quality of public services rigorously monitored，and bad performance rooted out.
Modern social democrats solve problems where they can best be solved.Some problems can now only be tackled at European level：others，such as the recent financial crises，require increased international co⁃operation.But，as a general principle，power should be devolved to the lowest possible level.
For the new politics to succeed it must promote a go⁃ahead mentality and a new entrepreneurial spirit at all levels of society.That requires：
a competent and well⁃trained workforce eager and ready to take on new responsibilities，
a social security system that opens up new opportunities and encourages initiative，creativity and readiness to take on new challenges，
a positive climate for entrepreneurial independence and initiative.Small businesses must become easier to set up and better able to survive.
We want a society which celebrates successful entrepreneurs just as it does artists and footballers，and which values creativity in all spheres of life.
Our countries have different traditions in dealings between state，industry，trade unions and social groups，but we share a conviction that traditional conflicts at the workplace must be overcome.This，above all，means rekindling a spirit of community and solidarity，strengthening partnership and dialogue between all groups in society and developing a new consensus for change and reform.We want all groups in society to share our joint commitment to the new directions set out in this Declaration.