How neoliberalism works

: a systematic and systemic analysis of the politico-economic processes underpinning neoliberalism

Abstract

The purpose of this PhD is to explore the political and economic trajectories and processes that underpin neoliberalism. In order to do so, a systematic and systemic analysis based on heterodox explanatory frameworks is conducted. It consists of three steps of analysis and two steps of synthesis. The organisation of the chapters reflects this structure – Chapters 2, 4 and 5 contain detailed analyses of neoliberalism from different viewpoints while Chapters 6 and 7 contain syntheses of the conclusions of these analyses. In Chapter 2, neoliberalism is located in the critical literature, establishing the fundamentals of the subsequent steps of investigation. Neoliberalism is systematically analysed separately as a theory and as a practice, including empirical observations in a comparative two-country study (the US and Germany). The conclusions of these analyses and the empirical observations are synthesised into specific politico-economic processes of neoliberal conduct via critical discussion and contextualisation, resulting in the conclusion that neoliberal practice does not follow the premises of neoliberal theory, but, conversely, that neoliberal theory is a part of neoliberal practice, creating supporting narratives. The conclusions are analysed in reference to the questions of political agency and the historical specificity of neoliberalism. The analytical incorporation of neoliberal agency leads to the conclusion that neoliberalism is produced by the deliberate actions of social groups, three of which are analysed in terms of their politico-economic interplay and reciprocal social processes by introducing the ‘Triangle of Neoliberal Agency’ model. In reference to its active nature, this is called the ‘push effect’ of neoliberalism. At the same time, the systemic prerequisites of the capitalist mode of production in its neoliberal form continuously create and restrict a historically specific corridor of actions, which is called the ‘pull effect’ of neoliberalism. It is concluded that the historical alignment of the push effect with the pull effect essentially underpins neoliberalism. By this alignment, neoliberal actions help to maintain the capitalist mode of production.

Date of Award	1 Nov 2021
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	King's College London
Supervisor	Jim Wolfreys (Supervisor) & Roberto Roccu (Supervisor)