The Programmatic Evolution of Radical Left Parties, 1945-2023

This article provides a systematic and empirical analysis of the programmatic evolution of European radical left parties (RLPs) since 1945. It addresses a central question: how have RLPs changed programmatically over the past eight decades? Focusing on key critical junctures - particularly the social mobilisations of the ‘long 1960s’, the collapse of Eastern European Communism in the late 1980s, and the 2008 economic crisis - the study examines the extent of programmatic change within this party family, the incorporation of new issues into their agendas, and whether a programmatic de-radicalisation has occurred. Drawing on data from the Manifesto Project Dataset (MARPOR), the article analyses the policy positions and thematic priorities expressed in RLP electoral manifestos. The findings identify several periods of substantial programmatic transformation. The first occurred during the social protests of the 1960s, marked by the gradual emergence of New Left/New Politics issues. The second followed the fall of Eastern communism, characterised by substantial programmatic moderation. The third emerged from the 2000s onwards, particularly in the wake of the Great Recession, which saw a return to more radical socio-economic positions and a renewed emphasis on economic interventionism and welfare advocacy. Contrary to conventional narratives, the study finds no evidence of sustained programmatic de-radicalisation over the past three decades. Instead, RLPs have strategically adapted their platforms, often articulating more radical responses to socio-economic challenges and European integration. Key findings reveal the growing centrality of socio-economic issues in RLP manifestos, marked by a shift towards a more welfarist and interventionist discourse. This evolution has been accompanied by the emergence of green and anti-productivist appeals, particularly after 2010. Environmental concerns, which first appeared in the late 1960s, gained prominence during the 1980s and have since evolved into critiques of growth-oriented models. Conversely, foreign policy, once a central focus, has steadily diminished in importance since the 1970s. However, this article also highlights the programmatic diversity that persists within the RLP family, reflecting variations across ideological sub-types and national contexts. It concludes that contemporary RLPs remain capable of articulating distinctly radical agendas, with materialist concerns frequently outweighing post-materialist priorities. By shedding light on these developments, the article contributes to understanding the adaptive strategies and resilience of RLPs, challenging assumptions of uniform moderation and demonstrating the enduring relevance of this party family in European politics.