Neoliberalism began as a loosely defined matrix of convictions rather than a fixed doctrine

Evidence

Jamie Peck has observed, “Neoliberalism was a mix of prejudice, practice and principle from the getgo. It did not rest on a set of immutable laws, but a matrix of overlapping convictions, orientations and aversions, draped in the unifying rhetoric of market liberalism.” It is extremely diffi cult to treat in a sophisticated manner a concept that cannot be fi rmly identifi ed or defi ned. … A closer examination of the pro cesses through which it began to transition from marginalization to infl uence will help us interpret the set of prejudices, practices, and principles that fall under the ambiguous rubric today. Attempts to understand the origins of neoliberalism require both a critical analysis of ideas and a detailed examination of the or gan i za tion al structures that abstract theorists leveraged in their attempts to generate po liti cal change. — Angus Burgin, The Great Persuasion, 148

Categorization

• DEFINE: Peck’s definition anchors how the term ‘neoliberalism’ must be handled analytically.
• XREF: Connects to the reader’s stated interest in the Mont Pèlerin milieu and how ideas translate to policy through organizational levers. — connects to: Neoliberalism was never a unified doctrine but three cross-fertilizing sects — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 120; Neoliberalism was initially a self-declared identity, not an external label — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 364; Neoliberalism is a contested but usable analytical category rather than a fixed ideology — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 15 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Neoliberalism is a contested but usable analytical category rather than a fixed ideology #corroborates (0.85) — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 15
• Neoliberalism is internally plural yet not formless #qualifies (0.85) — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin, 10
• Neoliberalism’s cohesion comes from thought-collective structure, not explicit doctrine #expands (0.82) — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 916
• Neoliberalism originated in contested debate, not a pure doctrine #corroborates (0.82) — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 405
• Neoliberalism is a self-consciously evolving thought collective, not a fixed catechism #expands (0.80) — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 141
• Early neoliberals explicitly distanced themselves from classical laissez-faire doctrine #expands (0.80) — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 117
• Neoliberalism has a coherent crisis logic despite lacking fixed doctrine #qualifies (0.78) — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 146
• Neoliberalism was initially a self-declared identity, not an external label #complicates (0.72) — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 364