As we celebrate May Day, we’re asking: Why do things keep getting worse for so many workers around the world? For one answer to that question, we look at the neoliberalisation of formerly “left-wing” parties such as the SPD. To walk us through this history, Ted spoke with Stephanie Mudge, a professor of sociology at the University of California at Davis. In 2018, she published Leftism Reinvented: Western Parties from Socialism to Neoliberalism, which analyses the history of four parties in particular: the Swedish Social Democrats, the British Labour Party, the American Democrats and, of course, our very own German SPD. 

For more from Stephanie Mudge, check out her article from last year in Phenomenal World, which is referenced a number of times in this episode, called "Democracy of the Market." You can also follow her on Twitter: @stephaniemudge.

Co-hosted by Ted (@ted_knudsen) and Michelle (@shhellgames). Produced by Isaac (@wuermann).

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Follow Spaßbremse on Twitter (@spassbremse_pod). Music by Lee Rosevere. Art by Franziska Schneider.