6.3.7

A-A* (AO3/4) - Nationalisation vs Privatisation

Test yourself

Why State Ownership in the UK?

Illustrative background for Clause IVIllustrative background for Clause IV ?? "content

Clause IV

  • The Labour Party's Clause 4 supported state ownership. It could be argued that this was a factor that contributed to a legacy of state ownership.
Illustrative background for Market failureIllustrative background for Market failure ?? "content

Market failure

  • It could be argued that some markets were national monopolies and needed regulation or state ownership.
  • This seems true in the Utilities, Railways and perhaps Telecoms sectors, but seems less likely to be true in Cars, Coal, Airlines, Shipbuilding, and Steel.
  • In the 1970s and 1980s, the government owned stakes in British Airways, the car manufacturer British Leyland, and many other businesses.
Illustrative background for ExternalitiesIllustrative background for Externalities ?? "content

Externalities

  • Tawney (1919) argued that nationalisation can allow society to put the welfare of people first. However, this opens the debate around the efficiency of public ownership. Many people argue that without competitive pressure or incentives, consumers get less innovative products at higher prices, despite the intention being good.
  • If the aim is to solve externalities, is it better to use taxes or to nationalise an industry?

Jump to other topics

1Introduction to Markets

2Market Failure

3The UK Macroeconomy

4The UK Economy - Policies

5Business Behaviour

6Market Structures

7A Global Perspective

8Finance & Inequality

9Examples of Global Policy

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