On coming to power in 2010, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition promised to restore power and freedom to the British people, reversing trends towards the rising power and reach of the State. This Palgrave Pivot argues that whilst it generally refrained from adopting overtly authoritarian policies, it exercised more subtle forms of 'soft power' which were often dissimulated behind liberal discourse such as that of 'localism'. Rather than power being transferred to the people, it has been accumulated by the State and the large corporations who are empowered to implement government policy and provide public services. Exploring five key policy areas, ranging from welfare reform to foreign policy, this work discusses how the government failed to fulfil its promises and the impact this has had on both the democratic process and the issue of political accountability.
- ISBN10 1137505788
- ISBN13 9781137505781
- Publish Date 27 February 2015 (first published 1 January 2015)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
- Imprint Palgrave Pivot
- Format eBook
- Pages 154
- Language English