How Can Markets be Freed?

Abstract

We have seen that the Conservatives’ local economic initiatives have been relatively weak: they tolerated, and over time shifted towards, consensus policies (pp. 72–5). This is a result of a fundamental tension in strategies to revive capitalism: on the one hand they have to increase the mobility of capital and the freedom of markets, while on the other they have to organise the socialisation of production (pp. 122–3). The freeing of markets and the circulation of capital sought by the Right are not ensured merely by removing barriers; they depend on profitable and efficient production, which requires the social organisation of production addressed by the Centre. This dilemma has often surfaced in debates between the Conservative government and its business supporters; it means that neo-liberalism is constantly vulnerable to pressure from the Centre. In this chapter we show how this contradiction will shape the future of the Right’s strategy.