The Political Economy of Britain in Crisis: Trade Unions and the Banking Sector (Building a Sustainable Political Economy: SPERI Research & Policy)

"This book explores two recent crises in British political economy: the crisis of 1976-9, for which the trade unions were impugned, and the 2007 economic crisis, for which bankers were (at least initially) blamed. The author argues that the "crisis resolution" of the former - principally the Thatcherite reforms of the 1980s - led to the emergence of the banking crisis. Further, Kirkland demonstrates how narratives of blame have emerged and were used in both instances to promote specific agendas. Narrations of blame and crises were used to curb the trade union powers in the 1980s, whilst the 2007 crisis was quickly reframed as one of excessive government spending, which in turn has led to policies of austerity."-- Provided by publisher "This book explores two recent crises in British political economy: the crisis of 1976-9, for which the trade unions were impugned, and the 2007 economic crisis, for which bankers were (at least initially) blamed. The author argues that the "crisis resolution" of the former - principally the Thatcherite reforms of the 1980s - led to the emergence of the banking crisis. Further, Kirkland demonstrates how narratives of blame have emerged and were used in both instances to promote specific agendas. Narrations of blame and crises were used to curb the trade union powers in the 1980s, whilst the 2007 crisis was quickly reframed as one of excessive government spending, which in turn has led to policies of austerity."--Résumé de l'éditeur This book explores two recent crises in British political economy: the crisis of 1976-9, for which the trade unions were impugned, and the 2007 economic crisis, for which bankers were (at least initially) blamed. The author argues that the zcrisis resolutiony of the former - principally the Thatcherite reforms of the 1980s - led to the emergence of the banking crisis. Further, Kirkland demonstrates how narratives of blame have emerged and were used in both instances to promote specific agendas. Narrations of blame and crises were used to curb the trade union powers in the 1980s, whilst the 2007 crisis was quickly reframed as one of excessive government spending, which in turn has led to policies of austerity Front Matter....Pages i-vii Introduction....Pages 1-51 The Trade Union Crisis of 1976–1979....Pages 53-103 Placing the Thatcher Reforms in the Context of the Capital/Labour Relationship....Pages 105-127 The Financial Crisis of 2007....Pages 129-184 Conclusions....Pages 185-202 Back Matter....Pages 203-207