Keeping privatization on track: the active state, the unwilling investor and the case of rail freight in the UK

This paper presents a case study of rail freight privatization in the UK wi thin the context of wider debates about globalization, the neo-liberal priv atization programme and the role of the stale. The case study reveals the i nterventionist role played by the state in both legitimizing die process of privatization and selling the idea to a reluctant private sector al home a nd abroad. In doing so, it points to a number of contradictions and problem s in the model of privatization chosen that raises larger questions about t he process of economic liberalization and market deregulation.