Communist ideals in the UK - Nationalisation

Day 203, 02:08 • Published in United Kingdom United Kingdom • by Stan Wephen

Today in the UK we see a small minority get richer whilst the majority lose out. Our country is considered the very pinnacle of a consumer society, and although this has bought some wealth, it has caused much povety. But just how anti-socialist is the United Kingdom? In this series I will continue to explore some of the policies adopted by the government that are similar in many regards to communist ideals.

2) Nationalisation

Nationalisation is the control of a section of business or industry by the government into public ownership. The first major case of nationalisation in the United Kingdom was in 1869, during which all inland telegraphs came under what was called the GPO, the General Post Office. Since then there have been numerous nationalisations of several businesses or industries, including the NHS, the Bank of England and most recently, Northern Rock.

So, how is nationalisation socialist? Firsty, Nationalisation is essentially this - the means of production, distribution and exchange are controlled by the state. In other words, the government controls how things are made, how things are given out, and how things are sold. So why is this good? Isn't this suffocating the free market. Not at all. A perfect example is the Bank of England, which controls interest rates. Far from destroying the market as many had feared, the Bank of Enlgand has on numerous ocassions prevented economic depression and the collapse of the market.

Secondly, nationalisation makes sure people have control over how they make money, helping to redistribute wealth and income equally. This is important to every communist, that everyone benefits from a successful business. On the downside, if the business is unsuccessful everyone loses out, but what is fairer? When a business does well but only the manager and his cronies earn most of the money, giving themselves 'bonuses' and then when the business fails he fires his employees to save money? Or when everyone wins and loses together, each worker, not matter his position?

Finally, nationalisation often ensures there is a base level of care or service given to everyone regardless of wealth or position. For example, the NHS. Nationalised in 1948 following the end of WW2, it was introduced to ensure everyone had the same quality level of healthcare throughout the country. Before then, it was a matter of a) you living near a good doctory and b) how much money you had. Today we have a strong national medical force, and although there has been criticism of the NHS, it is stronger and more nobel than the privatised doctors that we might have seen otherwise, with no other motive than to earn money.

In America, where there is no nationalised health service, many hospitals are being closed down because they aren't earning enough money. People are no longer getting treated because hospitals aren't making a profit. Is this right? Ask yourself where'd you rather be.

"Men are equal; it is not birth but virtue that makes the difference."
Stan Wephen