uk-policy Third Way - Comments on Anthony Heath's Message

Alan Mayne (new_paradigm@compuserve.com)
Fri, 27 Feb 1998 14:07:31 GMT

I think that the 'Third Way' requires far more than intervening in the
market where there is market failure or externalities. The government, at
national, regional, or local level, should be proactive and undertake
positive initiatives to promote social justice, terminate social
injustices, and prevent social exclusion. In some cases, this will mean
funding positive initiatives, or even setting up its own business
enterprises, in situations where NO company in the private sector provides
the necessary resources.

Part of the problem is that. all too often, genuine or even urgent consumer
preferences are ignored BOTH by government (where people feel 'up against a
brick wall') AND by the market (where companies too often make the excuse
that there is 'insufficient' demand, so that they do not see why they
should meet the request; in practice, the customer is very often NOT
king!). This is one of the reasons why we have so much social exclusion. It
is an area which should be addressed vigorously by the 'Third Way'.

Best wishes Alan James Mayne

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