The key influence in the 20th century was the rise of the professional. It was their expertise – of the civil engineer, the doctor, the teacher, the lawyer – which gave them the authority in the middle decades to define the public interest and preside over the expansion of the welfare state. These professionals did well out of it. Their numbers increased, but their patronising claim to always "know best" brought us both a self-confident public domain and patronising arrogance; hideous tower blocks, destroyed town centres and a lack of accountability. So when politicians began their onslaught they found fertile territory among a disaffected public; hence the apathy and indifference as the "family silver" was sold off or subjected to market principles of competition and efficiency.