1st Edition

Competition and the Corporate Society British Conservatives, the state and Industry 1945-1964

By Nigel Harris Copyright 1972
    392 Pages
    by Routledge

    392 Pages
    by Routledge

    British society changed radically in the 21st century. Any political party dedicated to preserving the Britain of 1900 would have faced, over time, either major problems of adjustment or the possibility of its own destruction. The British Conservative party was just such a party, its character defined by its commitment to the defence of the British status quo. Yet it has also been one of the most successful political parties in the twentieth century. Not only was it able to adjust itself to the transformation of British society including two world wars and the most catastrophic slump – but it was able to win elections more consistently than any of its rivals. This book seeks to show how the Conservatives achieved such a metamorphosis, by identifying the main changes in the British economy and society, and the changing Conservative response.

    In practice, there was no single Conservative response to any particular change. The debate within the party revealed a surprisingly large number of responses; yet the range was limited. Indeed, with some simplification, one can see only two general political positions, from which flowed differing proposals on all detailed issues. In describing these two positions, the author suggests a new method of classifying dominant political beliefs in Britain and other Western countries.

    This study covers a wide field, bringing together contemporary Conservative politics, economic problems and economic history. The Conservatives were intimately related to the interests of what used to be called British capitalism, and their attitudes to the changes taking place in industry reveal most clearly the changing political priorities of the party. The book examines Conservative policy, proposals and attitudes to nationalization and the public sector, to the trade unions and labour, to private business and finally to the economic role of the State, between 1945 and 1964. For those wishing to gain an understanding of the British Conservatives, Nigel Harris’ detailed and stimulating material will make excellent reading and has been acclaimed since its first publication in 1972.

    Acknowledgements 7

    Abbreviations 9

    Introduction 11

    PART I{emsp}THE BACKGROUND

    1. Liberal-Conservatism 23

    2. Capitalism: old and new 32

    3. Liberal-Conservatism in crisis 48

    4. Corporatism: theory and practice 62

    PART II{emsp}THE CONSERVATIVES IN OPPOSITION, 1945–51

    5. The party and the new order 77

    6. The heart of the Social Democratic society: public ownership 85

    7. Organized labour 110

    8. The old order: private business 123

    9. Conservatism and the Social Democratic State 129

    PART III{emsp}CONSERVATIVES TRIUMPHANT, 1951–64

    10. The phoenix lives 149

    11. The challenge of organized labour 155

    12. The mix of the mixed economy: public ownership 180

    13. The new capitalism 203

    14. The Conservative State 228

    PART IV{emsp}COMPETITION AND THE CORPORATE SOCIETY

    15. Competition and the Corporate Society 249

    Appendix: {emsp}The Conservative tradition from Burke to Disraeli 275

    References 289

    Bibliography 341

    Index of names 365

    Subject index 372

    Biography

    Nigel Harris