The Political Economy of Nationalisation in Britain, 1920-1950

Hardback

Main Details

Title The Political Economy of Nationalisation in Britain, 1920-1950
Authors and Contributors      Edited by Robert Millward
Edited by John Singleton
Physical Properties
Format:Hardback
Pages:340
Dimensions(mm): Height 229,Width 152
Category/GenreEconomic history
ISBN/Barcode 9780521450966
ClassificationsDewey:338.9240941
Audience
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations 27 Tables, unspecified

Publishing Details

Publisher Cambridge University Press
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publication Date 12 January 1995
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

In this study of the causes of nationalisation, experts in British industrial history analyse the public ownership debates, and explain how many well-informed and moderate groups came to believe that the public ownership of certain major industries would be economically beneficial. During Attlee's Labour governments of 1945-51 a number of important industries, including coal, electricity, the railways and gas were taken into public ownership, and legislation was passed for the nationalisation of the steel industry. It was then argued that nationalisation would lead to an improvement in the efficiency of these key sectors, on which the rest of British industry depended for inputs. This study examines the historical issues and uses detailed case studies of industries to explore the public ownership debate.

Reviews

'... an admirable collection of papers on the political and economic background to nationalisation.' The Financial Times