Försvara vinsten

I FT  idag finns en mycket läsvärd artikel om att näringslivets måste försvara kapitalismen -och inte minst förklara vinstens roll i ekonomin. Författare är John McTernan, politisk rådgivare till Tony Blair då denne var premiärminister.

The fundamental problem for business is that, while Thatcher achieved many things, when she reformed the UK she failed in one crucial area. She did not manage to teach the country to understand, let alone love, capitalism. Just take the concept of “profit”. It is widely understood by consumers as something taken from them rather than a return on risk or a reward for efficiency. MPs are under the same illusion: watch them on a select committee quizzing private providers of public services. Labour and Conservative alike, they tear into companies for the money they make.

The danger of leaving your reputation entirely in someone else’s hands has crystallised. According to a Populus survey in May, 49 per cent of voters think big business is a bigger threat to the public than trade unions, with only 12 per cent dissenting. The poll was conducted at about the time of public sector strikes on the London Underground and in education, so it is not a view taken in the abstract.

When numbers reach that size, politicians start to shift.

Så är det ju också i Sverige.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7bcf5bd8-f893-11e3-815f-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz35YjO5aGm