'Social Democracy In Neoliberal Times: The Left And Economic Policy Since 1980' by Andrew Glyn

Never has the Left held power in so many advanced economies, yet never has the difference that this makes to economic policy been so hard to specify. Across a range of European countries and in Australia governments of the Left have struggled to chart a distinctive course in the face of the neoliberal backlash against state intervention, the welfare state, and guaranteed full employment. This volume is the first to examine the records of these governments in securing high employment and a more equal distribution of income in the face of slow growth and global pressures to reduce inflation. Detailed studies of governments from Mitterrand to Blair and from Keating to Papandreou by leading writers from the countries are complemented by surveys of experience of the welfare state and of the ideological and historical background to these governments' attempts to further the objectives of social democracy.

The suspicion emerges that global financial hegemonies are much more powerful than any democratically elected Government.

This is so true Oftenwrong. its also a good suspicion to have. that is why this book is such a good read in my view