Captive State
Encyclopedia
Captive State is a book written by The Guardian
contributor and author George Monbiot
which examines the growth of corporate power in the UK and the negative impact that this has had on democracy and local communities.
The book explores issues such as the building of the Skye bridge
under the Private Finance Initiative
which occurred at huge cost to the islanders and the government but which generated massive profits for the private consortium who collected the tolls. Monbiot alleges through examination of other PFI schemes and corporate dealings that the British government has shamefully and needlessly collaborated in its own redundancy by giving massive powers to corporations at the short term and long term expense of citizens and
communities.
Select Committee on Public Administration http://www.publications.parliament.uk/cgi-bin/newhtml_hl?DB=semukparl&STEMMER=en&WORDS=captive%20state&ALL=&ANY=&PHRASE=%22Captive%20state%20%22&CATEGORIES=&SIMPLE=&SPEAKER=&COLOUR=red&STYLE=s&ANCHOR=muscat_highlighter_first_match&URL=/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmpubadm/263/263ap24.htm#muscat_highlighter_first_match
Select Committee on Treasury http://www.publications.parliament.uk/cgi-bin/newhtml_hl?DB=semukparl&STEMMER=en&WORDS=captive%20state&ALL=&ANY=&PHRASE=%22Captive%20state%20%22&CATEGORIES=&SIMPLE=&SPEAKER=&COLOUR=red&STYLE=s&ANCHOR=muscat_highlighter_first_match&URL=/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmtreasy/758/2041609.htm#muscat_highlighter_first_match
The concerns raised in Captive State regarding projects involving the NHS and the PFI were reflected in public consultancy debates:http://www.nhsforthvalley.com/files/Healthcare_Strategy_Public_Consultation_2002_files/Healthcare_Strategy_Public_Consultation_2002-Responses_received_2.pdf
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
contributor and author George Monbiot
George Monbiot
George Joshua Richard Monbiot is an English writer, known for his environmental and political activism. He lives in Machynlleth, Wales, writes a weekly column for The Guardian, and is the author of a number of books, including Captive State: The Corporate Takeover of Britain and Bring on the...
which examines the growth of corporate power in the UK and the negative impact that this has had on democracy and local communities.
The book explores issues such as the building of the Skye bridge
Skye Bridge
The Skye Bridge is a road bridge over Loch Alsh, connecting mainland Highland with the Isle of Skye, Scotland. It forms part of the A87. The bridge is located at around , with one pillar standing on the island of Eilean Bàn....
under the Private Finance Initiative
Private Finance Initiative
The private finance initiative is a way of creating "public–private partnerships" by funding public infrastructure projects with private capital...
which occurred at huge cost to the islanders and the government but which generated massive profits for the private consortium who collected the tolls. Monbiot alleges through examination of other PFI schemes and corporate dealings that the British government has shamefully and needlessly collaborated in its own redundancy by giving massive powers to corporations at the short term and long term expense of citizens and
communities.
Political reaction
This book has been referenced in a number of UK Parliamentary debates and committees, including:Select Committee on Public Administration http://www.publications.parliament.uk/cgi-bin/newhtml_hl?DB=semukparl&STEMMER=en&WORDS=captive%20state&ALL=&ANY=&PHRASE=%22Captive%20state%20%22&CATEGORIES=&SIMPLE=&SPEAKER=&COLOUR=red&STYLE=s&ANCHOR=muscat_highlighter_first_match&URL=/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmpubadm/263/263ap24.htm#muscat_highlighter_first_match
Select Committee on Treasury http://www.publications.parliament.uk/cgi-bin/newhtml_hl?DB=semukparl&STEMMER=en&WORDS=captive%20state&ALL=&ANY=&PHRASE=%22Captive%20state%20%22&CATEGORIES=&SIMPLE=&SPEAKER=&COLOUR=red&STYLE=s&ANCHOR=muscat_highlighter_first_match&URL=/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmtreasy/758/2041609.htm#muscat_highlighter_first_match
The concerns raised in Captive State regarding projects involving the NHS and the PFI were reflected in public consultancy debates:http://www.nhsforthvalley.com/files/Healthcare_Strategy_Public_Consultation_2002_files/Healthcare_Strategy_Public_Consultation_2002-Responses_received_2.pdf
External links
- Guardian Unlimited - Welcome to Britain plc - extract from the book 09/09/00.
- David Cromwell Media Lens book review