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What is Economic Liberalism?
“Economic liberalism was the organizing principle of society engaged in creating a market system” Polanyi, 2001: 141 Market Economy: An economic system controlled, regulated and directed by market prices; order in the production and distribution of goods is entrusted to this self regulating mechanism. An economy of this kind derives from the expectation that human beings behave in such a way as to achieve maximum money gains. It assumes markets in which the supply of goods (including services) available at a definite price will equal the demand at that price. It assumes the presence of money, which functions as purchasing power in the hands of its owners. Production will then be controlled by prices, for the profits of those who direct production will depend upon them; the distribution of the goods will also depend on prices, for prices form incomes, and it is with the help of these incomes that the goods produced are distributed amongst the members of society. Under these assumptions order in the production and distribution of goods is ensured by prices alone. (Polanyi, p71-72) Self Regulation: implies that all production is for sale on the market and that all incomes derive from such sales. Accordingly, there are markets for all elements of industry, not only for goods (always including services) but also for labour, land, and money their prices being called respectively commodity prices, wages, rent, and interest. (Polanyi, p.72)
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Three Classical Tenets of Economic Liberalism
1: Labour should find its price on the market 2: The creation of money should be subject to an automatic mechanism 3: That goods should be free to flow from country to country without hindrance of preference 1. Liberals believed that labour should be a commodity to be bought and sold on the market and that the price should not be subject to regulation. 2: The gold standard: -- the value of any currency could be measured in relation to gold, thus making gold a global currency. 3. Liberalism esposed the virtues of free trade.
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What is the “Invisible Hand”?
Invisible Hand: a term used by Adam Smith (1776) to indicate the way in which the pursuit of individual self interest in a free market actually ensures the maximum overall benefit for everyone. Smith’s arguments have typically been employed by the new right in promoting the deregulation of labour markets and the doctrine of minimalist government. (Jarry & Jarry, 2000: 316) New Right: contemporary free marketeers Did the pursuit of Roger Smith's self intererst benefit everyone?
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What is Neoliberalism? Prefix “Neo” means “new”
Neoliberalism is grounded in orthodox liberalism but entails . . . harsher cultural aspects (victim blaming) a focus on individual, not collective, responsibility. Neoliberalism is New Liberalism Anti-welfare policies / Oppose welfare state intervention / People who have not succeeded have not tried hard enough The economy, society, government has nothing to do with peoples success or lack of success Margaret Thatcher: "There is no such thing as society".
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