Coal and the state

In the early 1980's Australia became the largest seaborne exporter of coal in the world. Yet in 1946 the coal mining industry was in a state of chaos, unable to meet even domestic demand. This book investigates the reasons for this extraordinary turn around. Part of the reason lies with government intervention since 1946 which helped to achieve an economic, sociological and psychological restructuring of the coalfields and their communities. The study also examines the limits to state control and the role of miners' unions. (DÜI-Sbt)