Politics Is for People / Shirley Williams.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Williams, Shirley, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Economic policy.

Social policy.

Local Subjects:

Economic policy.

Social policy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Edition:

Reprint 2014

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, MA : Harvard University Press, [2014]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

If we are to enhance the quality of life, a bold new approach to politics is needed that takes into consideration the economic realities of the 1980s. Shirley Williams, a founder of the new British Social Democratic Party, former Labourite and government minister, outlines her blueprint for action in this forthright and intelligent book. Traditional institutions in both capitalist and communist systems are cracking under the stresses of advanced industrialism, Williams contends. The sturdy structures once responsible for economic abundance, emergent class interests, and political responses are now in disrepair. Even the impressive postwar economic and social achievements are jeopardized by scarce energy and the unmet educational needs of high technology. Policymakers and citizens in the West can no longer assume that full employment, or a wide range of social services, or good industrial relations are achievable unless there is a quantum leap in our political thinking. What Williams wants and is working toward is a government that is limited, accountable, and able to be superseded when it forfeits popular support. The welfare state, furthermore, needs to be reformed to allow for more participation. She calls for the devolution of power and decentralization in government, big business, and unions. In three sweeping proposals, she suggests a ten year plan to bring the welfare state into the future, a Marshall Plan to assist the Third World, and greater disarmament after a period of successful detente. Williams' words ring with harsh truths and tangible needs. She challenges us with her own declaration of intent: "The old politics is dying. The battle to decide what the new politics will be like is just beginning. It is possible, just possible, that it will be a politics for people."

Contents:

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. The Achievement

2. What Went Wrong

3. The Challengers

4. How The World Has Changed

5. The New Technologies

6. The Threat of Unemployment

7. A Policy for Full Employment

8. Less Concentration: Industry

9. More Participation: Trade Unions

10. Social Services: Involving People

11. Education: Good Schools and Bad Classes

12. Political Institutions

13. The Third World and Europe: Challenge and Response

14. Conclusion: Politics is for People

Notes

Index

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 23. Mai 2019)

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

0-674-59391-X

OCLC:

1013938754