In a blistering new book, Monbiot and the filmmaker Peter Hutchison define the deep impact of a doctrine which began as a fringe philosophy in the 1930s. Adopted by a wealthy elite, it has played a profound role in transforming our economics, politics, environment: from soaring inequality, to the rise of modern day demagogues such as Viktor Orban, Narendra Modi and Donald Trump, to our ecological crises and environmental disasters.
They’re, umm, describing Orban, Modi and Trump as neoliberals.
I’ve asked for a review copy but whether I get one in time to give it the write up it deserves is uncertain….
’…which began as a fringe philosophy…’
And remains so.
I’m curious Tim. How long does it take to type a four letter write up?
Well, yes, tho’ I think it would be a fun project to write a whole book examining their claims. Publish on Amazon. Maybe make $2k or summat (thousand copies maybe?). Would pay for the necessary repairs to my garden wall….
Anyone descibing himself as an educator and activist should be placed in solitary confinement where he can do least harm.
What soaring inequality (points at graph)?
Moonbat used to be an egotistical crank, now he’s gone totally tonto. Nonetheless “neoliberalism” means what it has always done: “stuff I don’t like”. I’m just surprised he doesn’t call it fascism.
I have no idea what “neoliberalism” is meant to be. I simply assume that The Left attach “neo” to nouns to make them sound like neo-Nazi.
Or is it to do with liberalism in the sense of Hayek? But that was pretty similar to Adam Smith’s or John Stuart Mill’s liberalism.
I wonder whether I should refer to the new Scotnaz government as neo-Scotnaz?
Trump (and possibly the other 2) is pretty neoliberal compared to the Left these days. Other being a bit protectionist his economic policies were fantastic – lower taxes, less regulation, etc. And his protectionist stance is often just a lever to push other countries to allow freer U.S. trade.
I just saw rather a disappointing Gresham College presentation on Argentina – why it went from first to ‘developing’ in 50 years. When it came to explain why Chile was less of a basket case. He correctly pointed out the Chicago school won out there. But he then said that Chile never went full Milton (no shit sherlock). The implication being that if they had done it would have been worse rather than better.
Don’t know about anyone else but I keep looking for our ecological crises and environmental disasters & not seeing any sign of them. So much ado about nothing?
When it comes to fringes, Moonbat is out there with the best of them.
@TMB That would have you attempt to incarcerate me, since I identify as both. Just not from the Monidiot side of the Argument.
I just might object to such a treatment, and as opposed to Monidiot I am quite capable to put a Period to such an attempt. With emphasis.
Social liberalism – you should be permitted to smoke weed if you want to
Neo liberalism – you should be permitted to make $ selling weed in licensed premises if the buyer is willing and it is actually weed
Classical liberalism – both of the above.