Failed State
Why Britain Doesn't Work and How We Fix It
Published on 3. April 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-1-0350-2660-9 (ISBN)
Description
The Top Five Sunday Times Bestseller
'Excellent . . . persuasive . . . convincing' - The Times
'Funny, whipsmart and devastating. Sanity on steroids' - Emily Maitlis
'Fantastic. An exquisite analysis' - The Secret Barrister
Why does nothing work in Britain?
It's harder than ever to get a GP appointment. Burglaries go unpunished. Rivers are overrun with sewage. Real wages have been stagnant for years, even as the cost of housing rises inexorably. Why is everything going wrong at the same time?
It's easy to blame dysfunctional politicians who are out for themselves. But, in reality, it's more complicated. Politicians can make things better or worse, but all work within our state institutions. And ours are utterly broken.
In Failed State, Sam Freedman, one of Britain's leading policy experts, offers a devastating analysis of where we've gone wrong. With historical depth and plenty of infuriating examples, he explains why British governance has fallen so far behind. Speaking to politicians of all stripes, civil servants and workers on the frontline, this book bursts with insight on the real problems that are so often hidden from the front pages. The result is a witty, landmark book that paves the way for a fairer and more prosperous Britain.
'We can only hope that every member of the new government will read and digest this book' - David Aaronovitch, BBC Radio 4 Presenter
'Brilliantly timed and frighteningly true' - Sir Anthony Seldon, bestselling author of Johnson at 10
'Excellent . . . persuasive . . . convincing' - The Times
'Funny, whipsmart and devastating. Sanity on steroids' - Emily Maitlis
'Fantastic. An exquisite analysis' - The Secret Barrister
Why does nothing work in Britain?
It's harder than ever to get a GP appointment. Burglaries go unpunished. Rivers are overrun with sewage. Real wages have been stagnant for years, even as the cost of housing rises inexorably. Why is everything going wrong at the same time?
It's easy to blame dysfunctional politicians who are out for themselves. But, in reality, it's more complicated. Politicians can make things better or worse, but all work within our state institutions. And ours are utterly broken.
In Failed State, Sam Freedman, one of Britain's leading policy experts, offers a devastating analysis of where we've gone wrong. With historical depth and plenty of infuriating examples, he explains why British governance has fallen so far behind. Speaking to politicians of all stripes, civil servants and workers on the frontline, this book bursts with insight on the real problems that are so often hidden from the front pages. The result is a witty, landmark book that paves the way for a fairer and more prosperous Britain.
'We can only hope that every member of the new government will read and digest this book' - David Aaronovitch, BBC Radio 4 Presenter
'Brilliantly timed and frighteningly true' - Sir Anthony Seldon, bestselling author of Johnson at 10
Reviews / Votes
Excellent . . . a persuasive argument brought to life by a generous supply of telling quotes and good stories from insiders, which make it convincing and readable -- <i>The Times</i> Funny, whipsmart and devastating. Sanity on steroids for our unhinged times -- Emily Maitlis, broadcaster and bestselling author One of the most astute observers of British politics. Freedman combines an unparalleled understanding of Westminster with a light, easy-to-read style -- Ian Dunt, bestselling author of <i>How Westminster Works . . . And Why It Doesn't</i> Excellent -- <i>Financial Times</i> Concise, wise and clear, this is a book that every member of the new government should read and digest -- David Aaronovitch, BBC Radio 4 presenter Excellent. Fantastic. An exquisite analysis -- The Secret Barrister, bestselling author and campaigner Brilliantly timed and frighteningly true. We should listen to what Freedman has to say -- Sir Anthony Seldon, bestselling author of <i>Johnson at 10</i> Brilliant. Clear and compelling reading -- Nigella Lawson, author, cook and journalist An urgent plea for reform -- <i>The Guardian</i> I heard it was required reading for new ministers and I concur! Bravo -- Louise Haigh, Secretary for State for Transport, UK Government Freedman's diagnosis is damning [. . . and] clear-eyed about what solutions are needed -- <i>TLS</i> An incisive analysis -- <i>The Morning Star</i>More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pan Macmillan
Target group
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 133 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
264 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0350-2660-9 (9781035026609)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
07/2024
Macmillan
€15.99
Available for download
Person
Sam Freedman is a senior fellow at the Institute for Government and a senior adviser to Ark Schools. He writes about policy and politics for numerous outlets including the Financial Times, Sunday Times, Guardian and New Statesman. With his father, he runs 'Comment is Freed', Britain's most popular politics Substack. He has a following of over 140,000 on X.
He has spent his career working in different policy-focused roles around Westminster, including as an adviser to the leader of the opposition and three years at the Department for Education as a senior policy adviser. Failed State is his first book.
He has spent his career working in different policy-focused roles around Westminster, including as an adviser to the leader of the opposition and three years at the Department for Education as a senior policy adviser. Failed State is his first book.