In the public interest: the role of the modern state
Policy Series
All societies across the world have some kind of state - the question is not whether the state should play a role, but what sort of role that should be. Neoliberalism, the dominant political orthodoxy since the 1980s, views the state as primarily the defender of national sovereignty, protector of private property, and maintainer of social order. Under neoliberalism there is no role for the state in promoting sustainability, social justice or technological progress.
Initially the financial crisis of 2008 seemed also to be a crisis of neoliberal thinking, but the implications of neoliberal failure upon the role of the state were never seriously debated. Too often, the left has succumbed to the ‘small state’ arguments of neoliberalism without considering rationally the appropriate role and place of the state in a 21st century economy and society confronted with major problems.
Five years after the financial crisis, and with an ecological crisis looming, it is time to ask how a modern state can play a major role in securing social and ecological justice in the UK. This series was commissioned to seek to address these issues and creatively explore the role of the modern state.
Contributions
Contributions launching soon will address options for new decentralised and local models; new forms of ownership and governance; as well as high-level interventions on how to increase investment and end out-sourcing and profiteering in our public services.
Publications
- The role of local government in a modern state
- State intervention for wage-led development
- In the public interest
- Public services
- Renewing Public Ownership
- State and finance in financialised capitalism
Blogs
- Five ways to deal with a full blown Conservative Government
- It’s time to reverse the ascendance of finance capitalism
News and press releases
- Centre for Labour and Social Studies (Class) responds to Eurostar sell off
- Think tank calls for a radical rethink of the role of local government
- Think tank says privatisation of services has consistently led to lower outcomes
- Think tank says UK is “out of step” with the rest of the world by shunning public ownership