Biography

Frequently referred to as Tony Blair's guru, Professor Giddens has made a strong impact on the evolution of New Labour.

Head of the London School of Economics & Political Science A British Social theorist, Anthony Giddens is the most widely-read and cited social theorist of his generation. His ideas have profoundly influenced the writing and teaching of sociology and social theory around the world.

He gained a bachelor’s degree at Hull University before studying a Master’s degree at London School of Economics followed by a PhD at Cambridge University.

He was Professor of Sociology in the University of Cambridge until 1997, when he became Director of the London School of Economics.

In 2002 he was awarded the Prince of Asturias Prize for the social sciences, known as ‘the Spanish Nobel Prize’.

He has been awarded 15 honorary degrees. He stepped down as Director of the London School of Economics in September 2003 and was made a member of the House of Lords in June 2004.

Giddens’s impact upon politics has been profound. He popularised the notion of the third way in political thinking, and his ideas have influenced social domestic parties across the world. His advice has been sought by political leaders from Asia, Latin America and Australia, as well as from the US and Europe. He has had a major impact upon the evolution of New Labour in the UK. He took part in the Blair-Clinton dialogues from 1997 onwards.

Among his 34 books are 'The Third Way: The Renewal of Social Democracy', 'The Third Way and It's Critics', and 'Runaway World : How Globalization is Reshaping Our Lives'. There is a substantial body of academic writing and criticism about his work. He co-founded the academic publishing house Polity Press in 1985 and in 1999 was the BBC Reith Lecturer. He issues on average more than one book a year and his publications are translated into at least 29 languages.

In particular, he developed the theory of structuration, which is the understanding of the relationship between individuals and the conditions around them. We should view life in society as a series of ongoing activities and practices that people carry on, but which at the same time reproduce larger institutions.

Most recently he has been at the forefront of developing ideas in left of centre politics. He has helped to popularise the idea of the 'Third Way'. The Third Way represents the renewal of social democracy in a world where the views of the old left have become obsolete, while those of the new right are inadequate and contradictory. A new social democratic agenda is emerging that is integrated, robust and wide-ranging, which can also rekindle political idealism.

Anthony Giddens has travelled to many countries around the world talking to political leaders and heads of state about the development of third way politics.