After the Virus
Lessons from the Past for a Better Future

Reveals the deep roots of the UK's lack of resilience when COVID-19 hit and sets out an ambitious manifesto for change.

Hilary Cooper (Author), Simon Szreter (Author)

9781009005203, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 September 2021

444 pages
19.8 x 13 x 2.5 cm, 0.49 kg

'Impressive analysis of how 40 years of neoliberalism severely increased inequalities and the impact of the pandemic, and how a secure, mutually supportive society with a strong economy can be restored. Let's hope our government finds it inspiring and acts accordingly.' Pat Thane, author of Divided Kingdom. A History of Britain, 1900 to the Present

Why was the UK so unprepared for the pandemic, suffering one of the highest death rates and worst economic contractions of the major world economies in 2020? Hilary Cooper and Simon Szreter reveal the deep roots of our vulnerability and set out a powerful manifesto for change post-Covid-19. They argue that our commitment to a flawed neoliberal model and the associated disinvestment in our social fabric left the UK dangerously exposed and unable to mount an effective response. This is not at all what made Britain great. The long history of the highly innovative universal welfare system established by Elizabeth I facilitated both the industrial revolution and, when revived after 1945, the postwar Golden Age of rising prosperity. Only by learning from that past can we create the fairer, nurturing and empowering society necessary to tackle the global challenges that lie ahead - climate change, biodiversity collapse and global inequality.

Introduction
Part I. COVID-19 was always a matter of 'when' not 'if'
1. The extraordinary history of pandemic control
1.1 An ever-present threat
1.2 The myth of progress
1.3 How pandemics spread
1.4 Pandemics and the changing role of the state: from divine to human responsibility
1.5 A plague on all our houses – learning to control pandemics
2. Pandemics are not random 'Black Swans'
2.1 We were expecting a pandemic, so why was the UK so unprepared?
2.2 Your money or your life
2.3 Light at the end of the tunnel
Part II. Why COVID-19 was a perfect storm
3. The fragile society of a neoliberal state
3.1 The neoliberal project
3.2 The capture of democracy
3.3 How COVID-19 was able to wreak havoc
3.4 A 'Just in time' health service
3.5 A 'Cinderella' social care service
3.6 A diminished state
4. Inequality saps resilience
4.1 Inequality and the laissez faire state
4.2 'This is not an easy life any more, chum'
4.3 Are we bothered?
4.4 It's the economy stupid
4.5 The 'Burning Injustices'
5. The pandemic onslaught
5.1 Those who lived and those who died
5.2 The tattered safety net
5.3 The COVID generation
5.4 Where's next?
5.5 Looking to the future
Part III. COVID-19 and the choices we now face
6. 'Too big to fail?' – we need a payback this time
6.1 Lessons from the 2007–08 financial crash
6.2 What does all this have to do with a 2020 pandemic?
6.3 A first look at the winners and losers
6.4 Securing the pandemic payback – how are things looking this time?
6.5 Is the old order beginning to crack?
7. No time for austerity now
7.1 So we found the magic money tree
7.2 When austerity was in vogue
7.3 Let's just put it on the tab
7.4 Storm clouds ahead?
8. Who has the deepest pockets?
8.1 A better future and a proactive state
8.2 Will we find the pot of gold?
9. Re-thinking welfare
9.1 Is it time for a no-strings attached Universal Basic Income?
9.2 'Dignity and Security'
9.3 Universal services
9.4 Who cares?
9.5 What of later life?
Part IV. After the virus – Who do we want to be?
10. Casting aside the neoliberal state
10.1 Homo Economicus and the myth of rationality
10.2 History and Morality
11. The birth of a collectivist individualism
11.1 How Elizabeth I gave us the world's first welfare society
11.2 The turn away from collectivist individualism after 1834
11.3 The Boer War and the 'New Liberal' reforms
11.4 Slaying the giants – Beveridge and the 'Golden Age'
11.5 Wealth, redistribution and progressive taxation
11.6 What lessons can we take from history?
12. An empowering state to build a nurturing society
12.1 What does it mean to have an empowering state?
12.2 Freedom and the state
12.3 Collective commitment to a nurturing society
12.4 The case for fair and progressive contributions
12.5 Democratic participation and devolved power
12.6 Our natural environment and the empowering state
13. Seven Pillars of Empowerment
13.1 A Nurturing Society: Respect and inclusive support for all
13.2 Ethical Capitalism: Working with business to redefine our values
13.3 Fair Contributions: Full participation by the prosperous
13.4 Open Public Discourse: Enabling all voices to have an equal hearing
13.5 Measuring what we value: Signalling the changes we need
13.6 A Sustainable Future: Responsible stewardship of our planet's resources
13.7 Participatory Politics: Reviving democracy and civic engagement
14. Greater even than a pandemic
14.1 Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Public finance [KFFD], Economic history [KCZ], Welfare economics [KCR], Health economics [KCQ], Political economy [KCP], Politics & government [JP], Social impact of disasters [JFFC], British & Irish history [HBJD1]