Thursday, November 21, 2019

Tumas, Big Business and Politics - Michael Briguglio


Back in 1998 my BA (Hons) dissertation in Sociology - ‘State/Power: Hiltonopoly’ - analysed the relations of power in the Portomaso development project. 
My research concluded that a symbiotic relationship exists between the State and big developers.
In this regard, developers provide economic growth and other incentives. The State provides policy and operational support. 
I argued that the relationship is fed by an ideological commitment to such development through the exploitation of land. The Planning Authority is the State’s major representative in this regard. 
21 years later, the dissertation can help understand the networks of power still active today. Further analysis can unearth direct material gains by actors involved in such networks, also including other economic sectors. 
Who said social class is dead?

You can download the dissertation here: https://www.academia.edu/2120916/State_Power_Hiltonopoly