I have a new report out today, co-authored with Christine Berry, called 'Building a new public banking ecosystem'. The report was commissioned by the Communication Workers Union and The Democracy Collaborative.
We already live in a planned economy – we just need to take the steering wheel
Market arrangements always favour certain outcomes over others, and ensure that social arrangements stay within set parameters.
Labour’s Brexit trilemma: in search of the least bad outcome
The great irony of Brexit is that most outcomes will lead to a loss of sovereignty and democracy. But there is a route forward.
Why the distribution of wealth has more to do with power than productivity
According to a new OECD working paper, Britain is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Net wealth is estimated to stand at around $500,000 per household – more than double the equivalent figure in Germany, and triple that in the Netherlands. Only Luxembourg and the USA are wealthier among OECD countries. On one level, … Continue reading Why the distribution of wealth has more to do with power than productivity
New eBook: New Thinking for the British Economy
This article introduces my new eBook, 'New Thinking for the British Economy', and was originally published at openDemocracy. Western political economy is in a period of upheaval. Neoliberalism – the set of economic ideas and policies that have dominated politics for the past 40 years – is rapidly losing legitimacy in the face of multiple … Continue reading New eBook: New Thinking for the British Economy
Prosperity and justice: a new vision for Britain’s economy
Britain’s economic model is broken and needs to be radically overhauled. In 2018, this is not a controversial statement. But when the messenger is one of the UK’s most influential think tanks, backed up by voices as diverse as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Global Managing Partner of McKinsey and Company, and the General Secretary … Continue reading Prosperity and justice: a new vision for Britain’s economy
First they ignore you… How the media is playing catch up on land reform
Back in February I found myself in the unusual position of being attacked in an editorial published by The Times. In a piece setting out the paper’s position on the land reform agenda in Scotland, I was named and shamed as the author of a “disturbing document” which “blithely ignores the rights of private owners and … Continue reading First they ignore you… How the media is playing catch up on land reform
From PFI to privatisation, our national accounting rules encourage daft decisions. It’s time to change them
Public versus private is back.
Five economic issues to mobilise around in 2018
If you hoped that 2017 would be the year Britain finally saw its economic fortunes improve, you were soon to be disappointed.
Video: Interview at Disruptive Innovation Festival
I spoke at this year’s Disruptive Innovation Festival about learning from the financial crisis, and building an economy that is fit for purpose for the 21st century.
Laurie Macfarlane 