When Nothing Works: From Cost of Living to Foundational Liveability (Manchester Capitalism) - Non Fiction - Paperback

Title:
When Nothing Works: From Cost of Living to Foundational Liveability (Manchester Capitalism)

Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781526173713

Overview:
It’s hard to escape the feeling that in Britain today nothing works. In the face of mounting inflation and widespread industrial action, this book offers an incisive analysis of the UK’s problems and a new approach to tackling them. Mainstream ideas around economic growth and higher wages are shown to be insufficient. The so‑called cost of living crisis is revealed as the tip of a deeper problem: a crisis of foundational liveability—the everyday conditions that enable families to live stable, healthy lives. The UK’s residual incomes are squeezed not only by rising prices but by failing public services and decaying social infrastructure—from housing and transport to healthcare and education. The author argues that the path forward must move beyond conventional policy playbooks to a political practice of adaptive reuse—reconfiguring existing institutions, budgets, and local assets to work around constraints that frustrate standard approaches. Written for policymakers, researchers, and engaged citizens, this work offers a clear framework for diagnosing bottlenecks and designing practical reforms that improve daily life while restoring trust in politics. Framed within the Manchester Capitalism project, it challenges readers to reimagine reform as a hands‑on, value‑driven endeavour focused on durable, shared liveability rather than short‑term milestones.

What Makes This Book Stand Out:
This book stands out by reframing the cost of living crisis as a crisis of foundational liveability, not merely a matter of wages. It connects macro economic forces—inflation, productivity, and public debt—to everyday experiences of housing, transport, health care, and education. The core novelty is adaptive reuse: a practical policy mindset that seeks to repurpose and coordinate existing resources—public services, local assets, and community initiatives—around the real needs of people. The writing is rigorous but approachable for readers outside academia, with a clear logic, concrete implications, and a bias toward implementation. It translates complex ideas into what policymakers, local officials, and citizens can actually measure and act upon—to prioritize affordable housing, reliable transit, and resilient social infrastructure. Situating the argument within the Manchester Capitalism framework, the author offers a distinctive regional perspective that links national trends to local outcomes and helps readers see reform opportunities at both scales.

Who This Book Is Perfect For:
Ideal for policy makers, urban planners, economists, students of public policy, and engaged citizens who want a rigorous yet readable examination of Britain’s current moment. It also speaks to community organisers, housing groups, teachers, and journalists seeking a practical roadmap for improving daily life. If you’re looking for a thoughtful critique that moves beyond slogans and offers concrete, doable steps toward better public services and affordable living, this book will resonate. It’s a timely addition to reading lists for policy schools, civic organisations, and anyone curious about how reform can be enacted locally and nationally.

Key Highlights:

• Reframes the cost of living crisis as a foundational liveability challenge
• Introduces adaptive reuse as a practical policy tool
• Links macro economics to everyday public services and infrastructure
• Accessible yet rigorous analysis suitable for students and professionals
• Useful for policymakers, researchers, and engaged citizens
• Part of the Manchester Capitalism discussion, offering a distinctive perspective

Why You’ll Love This Book:
If you crave a non‑dogmatic, evidence‑based critique of policy that still feels humane and practical, this book delivers. It invites you to see the big picture and to imagine how incremental, well‑targeted changes can compound into lasting improvements in daily life. The focus on foundational liveability makes the work immediately relevant to families, workers, teachers, students, and local communities alike, while the adaptive reuse concept provides a fresh toolkit for reform-minded readers who want actionable ideas rather than abstract slogans. Readable, persuasive, and grounded in real‑world stakes, it’s a timely addition to any non‑fiction shelf and a compelling companion for discussions about the future of British politics and public services.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.