Neoliberal development framed egalitarian welfare norms as obstacles to be overcome
Evidence
The problems of development were not strictly economic. The challenge for the neoliberals was to overcome the egalitarianism of communal cultures and the assumption that basic welfare was a right, and to instil the morals of the market and a culture of individual rights. — Jessica Whyte, The Morals of the Market, 409
Categorization
- DEFINE: Shows ‘the morals of the market’ as a cultural/ethical project, not merely an economic one — a key conceptual framing.
- XREF: connects to: Neoliberals treat inequality as a necessary motor of progress, not a flaw — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 173; Neoliberals framed welfare states as existential threats to individual rights and civilisation; Neoliberal policy requires means-tested minimalism and bans universal provision — Jessica Whyte, The Morals of the Market: Human Rights…, 208 (+9 more)
Broader Connections
- Neoliberals tarred Third World redistribution schemes as totalitarian
#exemplifies(0.85) — Jessica Whyte, The Morals of the Market, 427 - Neoliberals reinterpreted inalienable rights as instruments to foster economic initiative
#expands(0.80) — Jessica Whyte, The Morals of the Market, 335