ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the parallel development of democratisation of industrial societies and Social Democratic movements towards a political party. It focuses on working-class movements transforming themselves into an organised movement in which party and trade union become more or less twinned in their development as a political force. Democratisation of society was not meant to change social-economic circumstances only. The current relationship between trade unions and Social Democratic parties has been influenced by the variations in civil rights that existed in the different countries before 1914. Social Democratic political parties vary from country to country in their organisational outlook, programme and vote- and office-seeking strategy. The emergence of labour movements and their development into Social Democratic parties shows indeed a correlation between democratisation and their political empowerment over time. The chapter also finds that how and when this combined development took place is relevant for understanding the diversity within this party family.