This conference invites papers which examine the current state of social democratic politics and policy. While a strand of the conference will examine the health of social democratic parties, the conference is focused more broadly on the future challenges facing social democratic politics. Papers on (but not limited to) the following themes and issues are encouraged: Comparative social democracy - examining alternative paths and strategies of social democratic and labour parties in advanced industrial settings; Assessing the dilemmas and challenges facing social democratic political economy; Social democracy and alliances with wider progressive politics - including Green parties, Trade Unions, and NGO's; The changing role of the state and civil society in social democratic politics; Social Democracy and specific policy areas: education, health, democratic renewal; Australian Social Democracy at the State and Federal level.