Book of the week: Devils, Lusts and Strange Desires
Richard Bradford’s biography of Patricia Highsmith portrays a woman who ‘courted emotional violence’
“Ever since 1969, people have asked themselves why if humans can land on the Moon, can’t they solve pressing problems here on Earth,” said John Kay in the FT. In her new book, Mariana Mazzucato suggests that they can. Many of our greatest challenges, the University College London economics professor contends – including poverty, dementia and climate change – would disappear “if only governments could apply the mission-driven methods of the Apollo project”.
Styled as a “how to” guide for policymakers, Mission Economy is a radical call not to do away with capitalism, but to “mend” it, said Tom Kibasi in The Guardian. Unbridled free market policies, Mazzucato suggests, have produced a range of ills – and an inability to tackle big problems collectively. Her remedy is to bolster the state, enabling it to rediscover its “entrepreneurial role”. As part of her “mission economy”, governments would define “grand challenges” then set “missions to solve them in partnership with business”. Her book is a welcome “shot in the arm”.
Mazzucato’s goals may be laudable, but her thinking is too often simplistic, said Emma Duncan in The Times. Despite what she claims, the state today is far from “minimalist”: in normal times, it accounts for nearly half of all economic activity, and even without radical remodelling is capable of leading “moonshot projects” – as it has successfully done with the Covid-19 vaccine. In general, what prevents the state from formulating “missions” isn’t its inability to do so, but the opposition such projects would encounter. For instance, the reason the UK Government hasn’t yet decarbonised the economy is because voters don’t want to pay more for power and transport. But, after all, “the people’s reluctance to do the right thing is a common problem for left-wing thinkers”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Allen Lane 272pp £20; The Week Bookshop £15.99
The Week bookshop
To order this title or any other book in print, visit theweekbookshop.co.uk, or speak to a bookseller on 020-3176 3835. Opening times: Monday to Saturday 9am-5.30pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Is international law falling apart?
Today's Big Question Conflict in Gaza is testing the strength of the two intergovernmental courts in The Hague
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Week Junior newsletter
Spark new conversations with your child - every week
By The Week Published
-
'Florida's abortion law leads to "chaos"'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Silversea cruise review: a Central and North American adventure
The Week Recommends An incredible journey featuring cultural exploration, cooking classes, comfort and more
By Yasemen Kaner-White Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published