Article by Charles Handy exploring the advantages of Britain over Spain and how Britain can thrive in continental Europe. Handy begins the article describing how Spain used to be an attractive place for international firms to locate their new European manufacturing plants because the labor force was cheap and educated. He notes that Spain is no longer cheap and that Spanish plants will continue to close and relocate along a mid-European corridor, with Spain becoming the Florida of Europe. Handy then compares Spain's position in the European community to that of Britain's, observing that, as labour costs level off across Europe, transport costs will become critical, and that the product must be very good to justify transport differentials. What will privilege Britain, however, is its English language, the universal language of business, which will make Britain the preferred European location of many Japanese and U.S. manufacturers. Furthermore, according to Handy, the English language will draw the world's young to Britain, in time turning Britain into the new Athens as an international learning center and stimulating a fondness for Britain and things British, creating allies throughout the European community. He notes, however, that for this to happen, education would need to become a prestige occupation, which could be encouraged through Britain viewing it as a business opportunity, rather than a public-sector obligation.
Handy, Charles B Burke, Chris Ancient Greek mythology Britain and Europe Athens (Greece) Spain Education Institute of Directors Ancient Greece
Source
Article by Charles Handy exploring the advantages of Britain over Spain and how Britain can thrive in continental Europe, 1992; Charles Handy Papers; Box 20, Folder 5; 1 page
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