How has British industry financed itself in the past? With the current debate on industry's financial strategy, this study of the past sixty years is a particularly timely contribution to the discussions on the future financing of industry. This book gives, for the inter-war years, a detailed examination of the main sources of funds, covering long-term and short-term funding. It also traces the transition in the new issue market and explores the course of firms' own internal funds, and ends his coverage of the pre-war years with a chapter on the Macmillan Gap. Dr Thomas puts particular emphasis on the influence of government policy on the financing of industry in post-war Britain. He also explains the effects the new sources of finance have had on industry and the major public corporations. His last chapter surveys the later developments in the main sources and uses of funds and the factors responsible for them, and includes an illuminating comparison of financial practices in some of the major overseas industrial countries. Dr. Thomas has written a clear and objective account describing the trends in finance since the First World War. His notably well-documented book is an essential reference work.

This accessible study investigates the role of banks in the finance of British industry, an issue which has long been the subject of dispute. From one perspective the history of British finance is one of success: from the late nineteenth century the City of London was the leading financial centre in the international economy. Yet there has been much disquiet over the level of support that banks have given to British Industry, particularly when Britain's economic hegemony was challenged at the end of the nineteenth century, and during the malaise which followed the First World War. Michael Collins weighs the conflicting arguments. Is there evidence of failure in the money markets? Has the estrangement of financial and industrial capital hindered Britain's economic development? He places these and other questions in historical context and provides a survey of literature on this contentious subject.

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"This important, well edited.... collection of essays focuses primarily on the contentious relationship between finance and industry, revealing the jury to be still out on the thorny question of the City" culpability. David Kynaston, The Financial Times "An extremely useful and informative volume. Michael Collins, University of Leeds, UKCapitalism in a Mature Economy charts the development of the City as the undisputed financial centre of the world in the late nineteenth and the early twentieth centuries, reflecting Britain's dominant position in the world economy. The book focuses on four inter-related themes: the development and operations of English capital markets including the stock exchange and the clearing and merchant banks, the financing of British industry, the role of financiers and company promoters, and the financing of British overseas capital investment and trade.

This title was first published in 2003. In this volume of essays - based on papers delivered to 2001 conference, International Banking and Financial Systems - leading European bankers and banking historians give their assessment of the evolution of central banking in 20th-century Europe. As well as providing a historical perspective, the volume also explores how the lessons of the 20th century may be brought to bear on current and future trends in central banking. In so doing, this volume provides an insight into the ways in which economic stability and growth has been, and can be, promoted.

Modern Britain focuses on two major periods of British history; the interwar period, and postwar Britain. The authors compare and contrast developments in the two periods, dealing with the themes of: * growth and welfare * industry * labour * social policy * the economy Combining a narrative with a conceptual and analytic approach,Modern Britain provides an end-of-century review of progress and decline and an essential background to current polemics and major issues of concern. Clearly structured and written, this is an invaluable textbook for students of twentieth century British history.