This paper analysis the feedback effects of social policy retrenchment under Third Way social democracy since 1994. The paper argues that Third Way reforms resulted in lasting electoral setback for social democracy since these reforms went against the social policy preferences of social democracy’s core constituency. Using survey data and election studies, the empirical analysis shows that the reforms have been particularly unpopular among social democracy’s core constituency and that these voters now align with competitors that defend core welfare schemes in a credible manner. These voters’ attitudes have been shaped by previous social policies and now work against reform-minded policy-makers. The restructuring of mature Western welfare states thus accounts for changing patterns of political behaviour as a consequence of policy feedback.
