What's Wrong with Fabianism?

After attacking old-style Fabian assumptions about the beneficence of the state, Piachaud rules out any substantial redistribution of income through taxes and social security.

Instead, he calls for a strategy to help people to help themselves - opportunites for all.

Piachaud sketches the main issues for a new "opportunities" policy, which would reconcile the proper responsibilities of the individual and the state: work and income - a commitment to full employment, choice in child care and work for the elderly; wealth and power - educational opportunities and inheritance taxes; consumption and control - the intervention of the state to stop consumers being manipulated by advertisers.