"A study of contemporary Britain as a capitalism poised between American and European models, this innovative book begins with a bold re-interpretation of the economic contexts and bequests of Thatcherism that takes up the 'shock' hypothesis of Naomi Klein and roots it in an alternative economic history, and finishes with a critical assessment of the New Labour project. Pursuing the state in its various policy guises – including its attitudes towards transnational corporations, the public-private interface and gendered employment structures and equalities – it explores themes of legitimation, denial and opportunism via a series of original studies of comparative policy importance capped by a commentary on the early impact of the first great crisis of the 21st century. Building upon a range of recent contributions to both the 'varieties of capitalism' and 'third way' debates, the case is made for a globally and historically aware approach that treats the state as a key actor."

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