Road to Damascus?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/ja...l-monetary-fund

On the face of it it seems that the IMF, World Bank and other major institutions have seen the light. They are calling for increased infrastructure spending and policy to reduce inequality and create jobs. Good news, if politicians and economists can be brought to understand the importance of such aims.

However it is noticeable that the underlying committment to free trade is untouched, and that gives me pause. Free trade is part of the problem, it is not part of he solution, so far as I can tell. I have the impression that this is an attempt to preserve the failed financial system under threat from the consequences of its own logic.

Still, it is a step in the right direction, maybe: if it is adopted. One problem is the very call for increased equality: I do not think that is an aim of the right, because if it was we would not be in this mess. Question is will they realise there is a big enough threat to their privilege to lead them to seek to concede some sops sufficient to defuse the growing resentment? If they do can this be achieved within the mindset?