Radio4 Today programme Leadership theme

Generali

TruckerT wrote: »

U r a banker, so you would say that wouldn't you?...

Where is the Free Market which allows unsuccessful business models to fail?

TruckerT

It has nothing to do with my job. The free market, liberal democracy system is the best that has been used so far. It has delivered huge rises in living standards, freedoms, health, longevity, security.

Unsuccessful businesses should be allowed to fail IMHO and I include banks in that and always have. The reality is that thousands of businesses fail every day. That is a necessary part of capitalism, the 'creative destruction'. Without it we would have blacksmiths, fletchers and fullers sitting idle on every High Street.

Many of the problems faced by Europe and the US IMO have been caused by a move away from the free market, liberal democracy to the Corporatist/Facist model where business becomes an actor on behalf of the state, being responsible for introducing policy on behalf of the Government. The same C/F model is being used in most areas of Government now where Universities, for example, rather than being just centres for excellent education are also expected to take on people from certain groups within society to make up for failings (real or imagined) elsewhere.

In the UK I used to spend approximately 5 days a year (ie, 1/47th of my working year) on training courses to educate me to take my part in the C/F model. I already knew the contents of the courses as I was required to take them annually and whilst I was taking those courses I ceased being involved in helping my company do what it ought, that is making money for its shareholders.

What model would you rather see followed? Most have been tried and failed.

If we're going to try something different, I quite fancy a crack at neo-feudalism with me as the King. King Generali has quite a ring to it don't you think? You could swear an Oath of Fealty to me and commit your Act of Homage. It sounds quite jolly to me. We could do a mass one at Wembly stadium before the cup final each year and another at Lords before the first day's play.

purch

...except for Banks - why the exception?

Banks have failed many times over history, and no doubt will be allowed to do so again in the future.

Continually getting your knickers in a twist over the current situation cannot change that reality.