Soft Power and Freedom under the Coalition State-Corporate Power and the Threat to Democracy

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.

Emma Bell is senior lecturer in British Studies at the Université de Savoie where she teaches courses on British history and politics, focusing particularly on neoliberal consensus politics. Her research on different aspects of state authoritarianism attempts to understand policy in its wider social and political context. She has published widely in France and the UK. Her last book Criminal Justice and Neoliberalism (2011) focused on penal authoritarianism under the New Labour governments. She is the current coordinator of the European Group for the Study of Deviance and Social Control.

Acknowledgements
List Of Relevant UK Legislation
Introduction: A Liberal Manifesto
1. Decentring The State
Power-Sharing And Democratic Government
The Governance Of Freedom
Governing Through The 'Big Society'
2. Empowering The People
Empowerment Through Welfare Reform
Trapped In Poverty
Muscular Liberalism And Welfare
Muscular Liberalism And Multiculturalism
Moral Liberalism?
3. Legislating For Freedom
Taming Big Brother?
Balancing Liberty And Security?
Reconciling Freedom And Justice?
4. Economic Policy: From Small State To Big Business
The Politics Of Austerity
Corporate Welfare
Light-Touch Regulation
A Solid Coalition Of Interests
Constructing A New Common Sense
5. Exporting Soft Power
Soft Power And Corporate Imperialism
Europe And Soft Power
6. Solving The Paradox Of Liberal Politics
Liberal Authoritarianism In The Conservative Tradition
Liberal Authoritarianism And The Liberal Democrats
The Statecraft Of Neoliberal Governmentality
Neoliberal Ideology And Authoritarianism
Conclusion: New Directions For Liberalism?
Bibliography
Index