Leftist parties tend to tilt a tad more rightward over time. But Klingemann sees this not as an abandonment of principle but more a recognition of general success in building the welfare state. Policy Trends Nine out of 10 nations show a steady movement of policy leftward between 1950 and 1970. Defense spending in fact reached its apogee in the early 1950's, with defense's share declining thereafter in favor of domestic projects-first infrastructural modernization and then commitment to services and redistributive programs. But there is no evidence of a reversal or a reversion to the right.
Policy is in somewhat of a holding pattern.