Colin Crouch (1) (1944–)

It is a strange twist of book publishing that some English language non-fiction books appear in a German translation nearly half a year before they are actually published in their original language in their home market. Reading Colin Crouch's laments about the troubles of the UK's public services and market failures in German without adding corresponding German cases reads a bit odd, if not insular.

The book easily and convincingly demolishes the false claims of neoliberalism. Crouch still seems to believe that neoliberals would change their views if confronted with facts and better theories. Unfortunately, this is not the case, as Paul Krugman recently seems to have realized. As Game of Thrones demonstrated, knowledge is not power, power is power. Crouch's discussion and dismantling of false claims is noble but ultimately futile, as shown by the George W. Bush official who quipped disdainful about reality-based views. Crouch's book convincingly shows, what has been apparent for years now, that the Emperor is stark naked indeed.

I wish that he had mentioned ordoliberalism more as it offers a solution to most of the problems presented by the neoliberal creed. To prevent market failure such as Volkswagen's current cheating scandal, strong government institutions need to provide checks and balances to enforce rules and regulations so that a market economy can work to the benefit of the most (instead of a few oligarchs).

Crouch's examples of the failures in UK privatization schemes are heartbreaking. Instead of service improvements, the contracts are often awarded to crony companies. Good regulation is actually not that hard if aptly defended and offers huge benefits to the general public, such as a 20 USD monthly cost for a pharma dosage in the UK compared to 20.000 USD in the free market, baby! USA. Given such profit margins, politics and the government has been too weak to resist the bribes, similar to the Narco-dollars overwhelming the weak government institutions in Central and South America.

The author's praise of old school technocrats and experts is a useful corrective to the disdain shown by many neoliberals but he goes too far. Austerity is a prime case where experts went with the wrong option for the patient. In most medical systems, nurses can not perform some sensible services because the doctor lobby eagerly preserves their privileges instead of allowing a redesign of the services under a case management approach.

So a deserving quick read that unfortunately will preach to the already converted and fails to fully introduce the Anglo-American world to the concept of ordoliberalism. Perhaps, like re-engineering, it needs some American to rediscover and market an idea already described by Germans many decades ago.… (más)

In "Making Capitalism Fit for Society," Colin Crouch argues that there is a need for assertive social democracy. Crouch makes clear that social democracy differs from socialism. While socialism seeks to replace capitalism with state control of the economy, social democracy accepts the market and private ownership as the best way to conduct most economic business. However, markets are unable to meet all societal goals. There is a role for government within capitalist society. That role is to ensure that the collective needs of citizens not addressed by the markets are met.

Crouch clearly explains the differences between the dominant neoliberal paradigm and that of social democracy. He discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each mindset. Crouch does not hide his dissatisfaction with the neoliberal approach to the economy. The book’s purpose is to justify the need for social democracy. However, the book is not a mindless, emotionally-driven attack on neoliberalism. This book is for readers who want to understand the challenges of creating a form of capitalism that supports a more equitable society. Crouch writes for the thoughtful reader who is interested in living within a society that balances profit and people.… (más)