The Conservatives and Industrial Efficiency, 1951-1964 - Thirteen Wasted Years? (Hardcover, New)

It is widely recognized that Britains economic growth has slowed drastically since the end of the Second World War. The 1950s are often seen as the significant decade in this respect, when a strong government could have checked economic decline in its earliest stages. However, in 1964 Labour alleged that the Conservative government had sorely failed to do just this and had led the nation through thirteen wasted years. Many commentators have agreed with this, yet until now such views have been subject to little serious empirical scrutiny. This text responds to the need for a full assessment of the Conservatives performance in this period. Drawing upon a range of archival sources, Nick Tiratsoo and Jim Tomlinson explore the different aspects of the efficiency question. Beginning with the major issue of attempts in the 1950s to Americanize British industry, the authors also discuss Conservative policy on competition, education and training, investment and research and development. This research reveals that the Conservatives were informed about each of these issues, yet shrank from effective reform. They were, rather, reduced to inertia by ideological dilemmas, internal party antagoni