Social democracy defined

In recent months Kevin Rudd has unveiled a personal philisophical schema that will presumably guide his leadership of Labor. It makes for interesting reading. I particularly recommend his wideranging speech to the CIS - here - in which he expounds a contemporary social democratic platform, defined against the free-market thinking of Hayek. It is refreshing to see a leader state so categorically the basis of his political involvement and decision making. Whether such an exposition connects with those who care more for outcomes that philisophical definitions remains to be seen. One thing is clear though, Rudd is intent on product differentiation - from first principles up.