While the ordoliberal idea of a social market is similar to that of the third-way social democracy advocated by the likes of the New Labour government (especially during the premiership of Tony Blair), there are a few key differences.
Kuigi ordoliberaalide sotsiaalse turumajanduse ideaal sarnaneb sotsiaaldemokraatia kolmanda tee mõttele, mida propageeris näiteks Tony Blairi peaministriks olemise aegne Suurbritannia Leiboristlik Partei (New Labour), on neil lähenemistel ka olulisi erinevusi.