Captive State
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Captive State is a book written by the Guardian journalist and author George Monbiot in 2001 which examines the growth of corporate power in the UK and the negative impact that this has had on democracy and local communities.
The book explores issues such as the building of the Skye bridge under the Private Finance Initiative which occurred at huge cost to the islanders and the government but which generated massive profits for the private consortium who collected the tolls. Monbiot alleges through examination of other PFI schemes and corporate dealings that the British government has shamefully and needlessly collaborated in its own redundancy by giving massive powers to corporations at the short term and long term expense of citizens and communities.
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[edit] Political reaction
This book has been referenced in a number of UK Parliamentary debates and committees, including:
Select Committee on Public Administration [1]
Select Committee on Treasury [2]
The concerns raised in Captive State regarding projects involving the NHS and the PFI were reflected in public consultancy debates:[3]
[edit] Trivia
Thom Yorke, the Radiohead lead singer, dedicated the song "No Surprises" to Captive State at a recording of Jools Holland at the BBC Television Centre - 09.06.2001 [4]
[edit] Citation
- Monbiot, George (2001). Captive State: The Corporate Takeover of Britain. Pan. ISBN 978-0-330-36943-5.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Guardian Unlimited - Welcome to Britain plc - extract from the book 09/09/00.
- Media Lens book review by David Cromwell
