This study of five key policy areas, from welfare reform to foreign policy, demonstrates that the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition failed to fulfil its promise to reverse the rising power of the State. It exercised more subtle forms of 'soft power', often in partnership with the private sector, and to the detriment of ordinary citizens. Table of contents (8 chapters) * Introduction: A Liberal Manifesto Pages 1-6 * Decentring the State Pages 7-24 * Empowering the People Pages 25-42 * Legislating for Freedom Pages 43-66 * Economic Policy: From Small State to Big Business Pages 67-83