LogFAQs > #943349975

NFUN posted...

i still don't understand the popular usage of "neoliberal" because as far as I understand it, the "liberalism" it calls back to is classical liberalism which is basically what libertarianism evolved from

Yes, this is correct. It referred back to a return of classical liberalism and what we would presently refer to as (economic) libertarianism - free market capitalism, privatization, deregulation, austerity, etc.

It was a contrast to the Keynesian approach to economics which had taken hold in the post-Great Depression-and-WWII era. Like it was originally applied to Thatcher and Reagan.

The extent to which you could/would call the modern Democratic party "neoliberal" in the actual meaning of the term would be its general (certainly not universal, you can see divides within the party like Sherrod Brown) support towards free trade/globalization like with NAFTA or the Clinton administration's willingness to pass welfare reform and repeal key regulations like Glass-Steagal.

So while some tendencies certainly exist within the Demcoratic party there, in reality I'd say it's the Republican Party that neoliberalism better describes. They also have the neocons as well (which is defined in its hawkish military/spread democracy/"peace through strength" stuff and its fervent anti-communism) of course.

But I don't think most people think of it like that and just throw the term around and to be honest I'm not sure what is meant by it other than "people I disagree with" like NFUN said.

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