Abstract
The changes observed in the last 30 years, and more specifically, the last 25 years have produced an unexpected and important identity crisis for all parties rooted in the tradition of Western European reformist socialism. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the world experienced great changes. There were new expectations from people as a result of the entrance into the era of globalization (globalization was not a new concept at that time but its effects were becoming visible). These changes plunged the European Social Democratic parties into an uncertain future, and saw the retreat of social democracy which was trying to change in order not to disappear from the political scene. Without giving too many details, it can simply be said that Western European Social Democratic parties were moving towards 'modernization'. This process of 'modernization' brought about real changes, as much in the parties' internal structure as in their ideas, policies and creeds. The evolution of the German, English and French Social Democratic parties over the last 25 years, illustrates the changes that occurred in the 1980s and the process of 'modernization' undertaken by these parties.
