Capitalism should exist for the good of the people, not the other way around

20 January 2012

 

 

Capitalism should exist for the good of the people, not the other way around

 

Cameron's words about the need for "responsible" capitalism smack of political positioning rather than a genuine commitment to changing the way our economy works.

The Tories are actively encouraging people to be enterprising and set up their own businesses, while knowing full well the system is tilted away from them and firmly towards big business and corporations. Encouraging people who have recently lost their jobs to set up in business may result in disappointment in a situation where market power is so unfairly shared. The role of government is to challenge the dominance of corporate business rather than simplifying the co-operative legislation.

This is another example of the Conservatives trying to have their cake and eat it, as we have seen in the numerous examples of Conservative politicians condemning the closure of hospitals in their constituencies, while voting for measures nationally that will make this inevitable. Similarly the Localisation Bill suggests allowing local people a greater say in how their high streets are redeveloped, yet on the other hand failing to give them power of funding.

The Green Party's policy of banding corporation tax so that larger companies pay more than small ones would shift the balance of power towards the small businesses that are most effective at creating jobs. Our plans for community banks would make available the finance that has virtually disappeared since the advent of the credit crisis.  And a Green Chancellor would actively encourage cooperatives by setting up a cooperative development fund. Cameron should reassess the current state of the economy before he brands their idea of capitalism ‘moral'. The Conservatives are kidding no-one. As Green Party policies demonstrate, finding the solutions to the problem of irresponsible capitalism is not difficult, unless you have to keep your friends in the city and the corporate boardrooms happy.

 

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