Process of economic globalisation which
radically intensifies within first half of 20th and
21C
MAIN IDEA
Increase in volume of trade and
investment built upon an international
division of labour which inter-links
state economies in a new way
Creation of global markets in
commodities, natural resources,
finance, tech result in high levels of eco
inter-dependance between national economies
Dependant on each other and highly
sensitive to changes in global markets like capitalism
Fluid movement of capital across
national boarders - states in
competition to secure capital
(domestic & foreign investment)
Redesigning role of state 1980s
KEY IDEA
Adopt policies which de-regulate economy and open it up to the global market
Free market principles (and self-interest) to
direct the national economy
Privitisation of formerly
nationalised assets such as
energy, transport..currently Sussex
situ
Adam Smith - invisible
hand' pf market guided
by private actors
engaged in self-interst
HOW IT HAS AFFECTED RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS
State interference as band as free market
as only means of securing eco growth an
individual liberty
Providing social justice is no longer a role
pursued by the state - indi moral responsibility
(to work hard, save, invest wisely)
PROBLEMS WITH NEOLIBERALISM
Replaces an ineffective public monopoly with ineff private
Market failure - external factors
not accoutned for e.g.
environmental and their
subjection to crisis
Owner accountability?
Limitation of democracy - will
of the people as danger to
the working of free market
Creation of greater inequality as wealthy elite accumulates
greater wealth via attaining cheap private ownership of
public assets
• Does neoliberalism involve a minimalist government? Or does it require a
very activist government to continually create markets, defend them, and
save them (i.e. saving British banks from bankruptcy) in times of crisis?
• Should all public assets be privatised? How does this fit with an idea of
social justice? • Negative or positive liberty? • A constitutional order of
equality, or , a constitutional order of egoism?