Future of Local Economic Development

<p>This book looks at the future role of local economic development. Once New Labour came to power in 1997 they sought a third way between the new right agenda of Thatcherism with its attempts to reduce the role of the local state and foster a free market and the left’s attempts to take more control over the local economy in the interest of workers. In July 2007 Gordon Brown’s government published the 'Review of Sub-national Economic Development and Regeneration'.</p><p>This book argues that competitiveness and neo-liberalism or increased market domination over an ever wider range of social relations have in reality dominated New Labour’s policies. Yet a number of contradictions remain as New Labour continues to seek a reduction in poverty and regional and local disparities. The book analyses the changes that will result from further market domination under the Sub-national Review but also the opportunities that will arise for local economic development agents particularly those with a concern for social justice. It looks specifically at regional and sub-regional strategy making; partnership networking and building institutional capacity; local labour market policy and policy towards cities. An additional feature of the book is that several authors draw on international comparisons.</p><p>This book was published as a special issue of <em>Local Economy</em>.</p>