Since the 1980s, a number of social democratic parties have adopted policies which support a relatively lightly regulated economy and emphasise [[equality of opportunity]] rather than [[equality of outcome]] as the benchmark for social justice. This trend, known as the Third Way, is controversial among some of the left, many of whom argue that Third Way parties (such as New Labour in the United Kingdom<ref name=sacrifices/>) have embraced [[liberalism|liberal]] ideology, and have ceased to be social democratic or even [[left-wing politics|left-wing]].
Social democratic movements exist widely yet many are not overtly political. Socially conscious political leaders can often ''talk the talk'' but few ''walk the walk''. So people they try to support with their political rhetoric still lack the economic base that [[cooperatives]] and [[credit union]]s provide (with profits going back to the people or to specific areas of support they choose). Socially conscious people choose them, without political direction. Democratically oriented social and community programs recognize these businesses as a political necessity, as they start with community economics first, and grass-roots politics and cooperation is built to support the economic structure.
Seeking political support from socially conscious workers directly is often ineffective because financial support comes from wages (dues and donations are more like a tax on wages) rather than from profits on goods and services. A small but growing number of [[cooperatives]] and [[credit union]]s exist for the continuing benefit of the people. They represent less than 4% of the business done in the world presently.
''See also [[List of social democratic parties]]''.
