The Anglo-American Model of Neoliberalism of the 1980s : Construction, Development and Dissemination

This book studies neoliberalism's features in the UK and USA in the 1980s in relation to the philosophical, historical, political, legal, and economic concepts. It analyses the model's legacy in the "Anglosphere," its acceptance, rejection, proliferation in France and Europe - the EU often emulating and disseminating neoliberal processes and techniques via hard and soft law -, its scope, its spread throughout EU countries characterised by "illiberalism," highlighting the model's need to adapt. It fills a historiographical gap regarding a concept which remains acutely topical. Foreword Contents Editors and Contributors About the Editors Contributors List of Figures 1 Liberalism in Twentieth Century Britain and Progressivism in Twentieth-Century America: Contacts, Conflicts and Connections (1832–1945) Introduction Great Britain’s Liberalism US Progressivism: Contacts, Conflicts and Connections with British Liberalism Conclusion 2 The Intellectual Roots of Neoliberalism: Advocating for a New Paradigm (1945–1979) Overview of the Post-War Economic Order: The Emergence of a New Intellectual Paradigm Historical Perspective of Neoliberalism Adapting the American Model of Neoliberal Advocacy in 1970s Britain Towards a Conservative Revolution? References 3 Introduction Defining “Neoliberalism” Dissemination of the Concept Vehicles of the Dissemination Aims of the Book Structure of the Book References Part I The Neoliberal Model, Theoretical and Political Perspectives 4 Standing the Test of Time? The “Resilience” of the Anglo-American Neoliberal Paradigm in the Post-financial Crisis, Post-Covid Era Introduction The Paradigm Shift to Neoliberalism in the UK and US The Anglo-American Neoliberal Paradigm’s Resilience and Influence Over Time Paving the Way for Paradigm Change? Post-2007 Ideational Renewal and the Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis References 5 Genealogy and Architecture of a Global Model: The Role of British and American Conservative Think Tanks in the Dissemination of Neoliberal Ideas Introduction Conservative Think Tanks? Conservative Think Tanks and the “Marketplace of Ideas” The Adam Smith Institute: A Transatlantic Think Tank? Neoliberalism in an Anglo-American Space or Anglo-American Neoliberalism? A “Liberal Comintern”? Beyond the Anglo-American Sphere Conclusion References 6 Anglo-American Neoliberalism: An Illiberal Model? Introduction An Unacknowledged Conflict Between Free Market and Liberalism A Direct Though Sometimes Implicit Challenge to Liberal Constitutionalism An Illiberal Shift Noticeable with the Coming to Office of Thatcher and Reagan Conclusion References 7 Neoliberalism in Britain: From Origins to Orthodoxy Introduction The Initial Incorporation of Neoliberalism into the Conservative Party The Discourse of Neoliberalism The Consolidation of Neoliberalism Since 1997 Conclusion References 8 Winning Without Winning: Neoliberalism, Public Opinion, and Electoral Politics in the United States (1968–2000) Introduction Americans’ Political Beliefs Liberals and Neoliberals Conclusion References Part II Transfer of the Neoliberal Paradigm Within the Anglosphere 9 The Originalism of American Federal Judges or the Establishment of Constitutional Foundations for Economic Liberalism Since the 1970s Introduction The originalist interpretation of the constitution: neutrality under debate Originalism: Origins and Variants The Illusion of Interpretative Neutrality Behind Originalism, Conservative Positions: The A. Scalia Case The Originalist Interpretation of the Commerce Clause: Reducing Federal Regulation Through New Constitutional Jurisprudence The Jurisprudential Extension of Federal Powers: The “Dormant Commerce Clause” and Its Substantive Effects A Counter-Offensive Against the “Substantial Effects Test” and the Extension of Federal Powers: Clarence Thomas’ Interpretation of the Commerce Clause Robert Bork: Originalism and Antitrust Conclusion References 10 Was United States Financial Liberalisation in the 1980s Inspired by the Neoliberal Model? (1913–2013) Introduction Methodological Approach and Results of the United States Financial Liberalisation Index First Phase (1913–1970): Regulatory Tightening Second Phase (1971–2009): From Regulatory Relaxation to Financial Liberalisation Last Phase (2009–2013): The Post-Financial Crisis 2008 Re-Regulation Conclusion Appendix: Financial Liberalisation Scores of the Index Dimensions (Author’s Elaboration) References 11 From Thatcher to Johnson: 40 years of Neoliberalism in the UK, Continuities and Adaptations Introduction 1979–2010: The Thatcherite Neo-Liberal Turn and New Labour 1979: Margaret Thatcher’s Neo-Liberal Turn 1997: New Labour’s “Third Way” The Minimum Wage The 2007–2008 Financial Crisis: State Intervention 2010: The Return of the Conservatives to Power Lowering the Corporate Tax Rate Public Pensions and Minimum Wage The European Question The Conservative Platform in the 2019 General Election and Its Implementation 2020: Brexit and the “Global Britain” Strategy Coronavirus Crisis: Massive Support Plans Corporate Tax Rates: A Sea Change, but... Conclusion References 12 Exploring the Neoliberal Health Legacy in Britain Introduction Understanding Neoliberal Theory and Practice Neoliberal Policy and Healthcare Neoliberal Reforms and the NHS Reforms Following the Neoliberal Model Assessing the Outcomes of Neoliberal Reforms in Britain’s National Health Service Quality Issues Wasteful Expenditure The Impact on Staff Wellbeing and Motivation to Care Accountability Conclusion References 13 The Limits of the Neoliberal Paradigm? Health Care Politics and the Sexual Revolutions in the United States at a Time of Crisis (1970–1992) Introduction “Self-Help” and the Political Economy of Bodily Autonomy in the 1970s HIV-AIDS, the Welfare State, and the Shift from Private to Public in the 1980s Conclusion References 14 Detention of Undocumented Migrants: From Reagan’s Neoliberal, Money-Led Legacy to a More Humanistic Approach Introduction Migration Policy and Market Law: Premises for the Growth of Private Detention Centres for Migrants International Policy and Migration Policy in a Cold War Context The Perverse Effects of Free Trade Agreements A Neoliberal Conception of Migratory Movements that Goes Beyond Traditional Political Divides Criminalisation of Immigration and Neoliberal Transformation of Migrant Detention Neoliberal Management of Migrant Detention Private Detention Centres for Migrants: A Niche Market A Prison Migration Policy Under Influence Profitability and Market Logic: Contractual Procedures Partially Outside the Control of Government Authorities Repositioning and Diversification Strategy A Constant Search for Legal and Financial Optimisation A Shifting Legal Structure A Persistent Need for Financing An Influence Weakened by Coalition Groups with Diverse but Converging Interests A Public Opinion More Favourable to Welcoming Migrants A Judicial System Torn Between Political Interests and Integrity An Increasing Number of Activist Mobilisations A Growing Collision Between Federal and State Power Conclusion References Part III Dissemination in Europe 15 Expanding the Kingdom: The Walt Disney Company as a Purveyor of Neoliberal Logic Introduction Setting the Stage—The Neoliberal Turn and the “Disney Renaissance” How Disney Shaped Neoliberalism—Case Study: Disney’s Theme Parks Disney’s Small World Disney’s Besting of US-Style Glocalisation Whistle While You Work—Disney’s “Do What You Love” Mantra Conclusion References 16 Has Anglo-American Neoliberalism Been a Model for France? The Case of Economic and Financial Reforms (1986–1988) Introduction Aims and Inspirations Implementation: A Different Agenda and Different Entourages The Main Achievements Mirroring Thatcherism Privatisation (Neo)liberal Public Finance Management? Competition Policy: A Look Across the Rhine Rather Than Across the Channel? Conclusion References 17 European Economic Governance, the European Semester and Health: Reflections from the French Case Introduction The European Semester: Constraint as a New Way of Making the Law Constraint Through Iteration Discourse Coercion The Reception of the Constraint First Reception Clue Second Reception Clue Conclusion References 18 From New Public Management to Social Impact Bonds: The European Experience Introduction Social Impact Bonds: A Conceptual Overview Market Overview: A Focus on Europe Social Impact Bonds as a Response to Old Issues and Emerging Social Needs Following the COVID-19 Pandemic Concluding Remarks References 19 From “No-Liberalism” to Neoliberalism in Central Eastern Europe of the Late Twentieth Century: A Success Story? Introduction: From “No-Liberalism” to Neoliberalism Neoliberalism in the (Paradoxical) Making Conclusions: From Neoliberalism to Unexpected Future Illiberalism? References Index This book studies neoliberalisms features in the UK and USA in the 1980s in relation to the philosophical, historical, political, legal, and economic concepts. It analyses the models legacy in the 'Anglosphere', its acceptance, rejection, proliferation in France and Europethe EU often emulating and disseminating neoliberal processes and techniques via hard and soft lawits scope, its spread throughout EU countries characterised by 'illiberalism', highlighting the models need to adapt. It fills a historiographical gap regarding a concept which remains acutely topical. Nathalie Levy is Senior Lecturer at University of Tours, France. Alexis Chommeloux is Senior Lecturer at University of Tours, France. Nathalie A. Champroux is Professor at University of Tours, France. Stephane Porion is Senior Lecturer at University of Tours, France. Selma Josso is Senior Lecturer at University of Tours, France. Audrey Damiens is Senior Lecturer at University of Tours, France