The Labour Party and the Planned Economy, 1931-1951 (Royal Historical Society Studies in History New Series, 32) (Volume 32)

An exploration of Labour's 1931 pledge to create a planned socialist economy and the reasons for its failure to do so. In the general election of 1931, the Labour Party campaigned on the slogan "Plan or Perish". The party's pledge to create a planned socialist economy was a novelty, and marked the rejection of the gradualist, evolutionary socialism to which Labour had adhered under the leadership of Ramsay MacDonald. Although heavily defeated in that election, Labour stuck to its commitment. The Attlee government came to power in 1945 determined to plan comprehensively. Yet, the aspiration to create a fully planned economy was not met. This book explores the origins and evolution of the promise, in order to explain why it was not fulfilled. RICHARD TOYE lectures in history at Homerton College, Cambridge. In The General Election Of 1931, The Labour Party Campaigned On The Slogan 'plan Or Perish'. The Party's Pledge To Create A Planned Socialist Economy Was A Novelty, And Marked The Rejection Of The Gradualist, Evolutionary Socialism To Which Labour Had Adhered Under The Leadership Of Ramsay Macdonald. Although Heavily Defeated In That Election, Labour Stuck To Its Commitment. The Attlee Government Came To Power In 1945 Determined To Plan Comprehensively. Yet, The Aspiration To Create A Fully Planned Economy Was Not Met. This Book Explores The Origins And Evolution Of The Promise, In Order To Explain Why It Was Not Fulfilled.--jacket. Planning : Birth Of An Idea -- Plan Or Perish : 1931 And Its Impact -- Practical Economics? 1932-1939 -- The Economic Consequences Of The War -- Shall The Spell Be Broken? -- Planning For Reconstruction -- International Planning : External Economic Policy In The 1940s -- Bricks Without Straw : Unplanned Socialism, 1945-1947 -- Planning, Priorities And Politics, 1947-1951. Richard Toye. A Royal Historical Society Publication. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 243-258) And Index. Contents......Page 5 Acknowledgements......Page 9 Introduction......Page 13 1 Planning: birth of an idea......Page 21 2 Plan or perish: 1931 and its impact......Page 46 3 Practical economics? 1932–1939......Page 77 4 The economic consequences of the war......Page 99 5 Shall the spell be broken?......Page 126 6 Planning for reconstruction......Page 151 7 International planning: external economic policy in the 1940s......Page 168 8 Bricks without straw: unplanned socialism, 1945–1947......Page 197 9 Planning, priorities and politics, 1947–1951......Page 220 Conclusion......Page 248 Bibliography......Page 255