Internationale Politikanalyse International Policy Analysis International Policy Analysis Ernst Hillebrand A Society of Empowered Citizens Outline of a social democratic project for the twenty-first century Today, many voters are no longer able to discern what Europe’s political centre-left actually stands for. Torn between traditional social democratic ideals and neo-liberal-inspired»reform policies«, its project has become illegible. If it is to avoid remaining on the defensive, Euro­pean social democracy must adjust its programme to the realities of our time and present its own political vision for the society of the twenty­first century. Such a vision must eliminate gaps and anachronisms from the social democrats’ current programme and address the following issues:(1) the distribution of income and wealth and the aims of welfare-state inter­vention;(2) the social basis for a policy of solidarity;(3) the future role of the state;(4) the social democratic perception of human beings and society; and(5) the future of democratic participation. Social democracy must develop its own vision of a»good society« of sovereign citizens in order to counter the neo-liberal image of»homo economicus« and its promise of happiness through consumption. This progressive vision must focus on the social conditions of individual self­fulfilment and happiness and an ecologically sustainable economy. DECEMBER 2009