From Larry Elliott in the Guardian today:
Ultimately, the problem with the meta-narratives [such as free amrket capitalism and Europe] is that they don't deliver. The postwar era of strong trade unions, full employment policies and capital controls produced stronger, more equitable growth than three decades of deregulation, liberalisation and flexible labour markets. The more integrated Europe has become, the worse it has performed.
China and India prove that it is possible to thrive without a meta-narrative. Both countries have systems of managed capitalism fully in the tradition of the mixed economies that prevailed in the west during the heyday of social democracy. What counts is what works. There is a lesson in that somewhere.
I think it is “bring on the Green New Deal”.
Larry Elliott is one of my co-authors of the Green New Deal.
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“China and India prove that it is possible to thrive without a meta-narrative. Both countries have systems of managed capitalism fully in the tradition of the mixed economies that prevailed in the west during the heyday of social democracy.”
They also have substantial supplies of educated workers at wage levels far below the west. Managed capitalism has little to do with their growth and a lot to do with a state controlled expansion – not necessarily a bad thing when infrastructure is required and the benefits of growth need to be spread around, but by and large not needed in the West.
@Alex
“A lot to do with a state controled expansion – not necessarily a bad thing when infrastructure is required and the benefits of growth need to be spread around”
I couldn’t have described the UK’s current situation better myself. Thanks Alex for pointing out the need for more govt investment in skills and infrastructure in the UK! I wonder if the LibCons will be listening?
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