Neoliberalism has a constant end but flexible, adaptive means.

Evidence

If the end goal remains constant—safeguarding what neoliberals call a competitive order and exposing humanity ever more to the compulsions of adjustment according to the price mechanism—the means of arriving at this goal shift with time and place. Only by understanding this flexibility do the nine lives of neoliberalism become explainable. — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 22

Categorization

• DEFINE: Frames the constant-versus-variable structure that lets analysts distinguish genuine neoliberal doctrine from mere policy improvisation.
• XREF: This ‘constant end, flexible means’ formula echoes the distinction between the competitive order as telos and deregulation merely as one contingent means, tying to the book’s title thesis. — connects to: Neoliberalism survives crises through deliberate policy adaptability, not fixed doctrine. — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 206; Neoliberalism’s internal plurality is strategic strength, not weakness — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin: The Making…, 1014; Neoliberal continuity survived via pragmatic adjustment, not doctrinal purity — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin: The Making…, 1615 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Neoliberal continuity survived via pragmatic adjustment, not doctrinal purity #corroborates (0.95) — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin, 1615
• Neoliberalism survives crises through deliberate policy adaptability, not fixed doctrine. #corroborates (0.92) — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 206
• Neoliberalism’s internal plurality is strategic strength, not weakness #expands (0.80) — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin, 1014