What does competitiveness mean? In recent years, discussion of economic policy has become dominated by the notion of competitiveness. In this volume a group of leading economists explore the issue through cross-country comparisons and by means of single country case studies. They also examine:
* the relationship between competitiveness and community objectives
* the co-existence of diversity, subsidiarity and EU industrial policy
* the impact of European enlargement and further integration

The central thesis of Feelbad Britain is that after the decades of neoliberalism the institutions and social relations on which solidarity, trust and citizenship depend have been undermined. This has left contemporary British society in a troubled and dysfunctional state, without the cohesion or confidence needed if we are to escape from recession, combat climate change and restore faith in government. The authors put forward a theoretical framework for understanding contemporary politics; and they consider what is to be done to revitalise the British left, challenge neoliberal hegemony, and develop a political project aimed at creating a greener, fairer, happier, more democratic and less divided Britain.

In resistance to the prevailing "seductive" market, and as part of the process of creating, organizing and stimulating an alternative to it, this volume of essays challenges the idea that money is primarily a "medium of exchange" that developed as a response to the inconvenience of barter. They argue that historically money predates (market) exchange and should be seen fundamentally as a means of payment in discharge of a social obligation.

Fikret Adaman is Associate Professor at Bogazici University, Turkey, currently doing research on environmental economics.

Pat Devine is Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of Manchester, and author of "Democracy and Economic Planning" (Polity Press, 1988). His current research is on the political economy of socialism.