Neoliberalism, Strong State and Democracy
Abstract
The study serves to clarify the political content of neoliberalism, which is only vaguely outlined in the literature. Its thesis is that neoliberalism does not have a distinct or common economic theory, but rather a law-political agenda. Methodologically, the study relies on an f political economy view on the literature. Particular attention is paid to the relationship of Carl Schmitt’ oeuvre to early neoliberal thinkers, especially F. A. Hayek. Neoliberalism, it is concluded, follows a political view whose hallmark is antagonism between state and society and distance from democracy, in the hope that free trade, freedom of contract and free movement of capital alone can create global prosperity and promote peace. Attempts to realize this utopia, however, seem to lead to opposite results.