Neoliberalism pairs a scientific self-image with elite-directed ideological strategy, not democratic science

Evidence

Since its inception, neoliberalism has hinged on two forces tugging in opposite directions: a scientific program based on a strict respect for the scientific method, and strategic appeals to morals and values when results did not point to an agreeable consensus. … Following the success of The Road to Serfdom, Hayek further elaborated an ideological strategy in which a closed circle of intellectual producers feed their ideas to the public through strategically placed intermediaries. As well as their democratic aspirations, the cognitive capacity of the masses was deemed trivial compared with the intellectual influence of the elites, which neoliberals began to purposefully target. — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 92

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the tension between technocratic expertise and elite cadre strategy discussed in other readings on Hayek and the Mont Pèlerin Society. — connects to: Neoliberalism targets elite opinion through knowledge redefinition, not direct corporate service. — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 135; Neoliberalism’s scientific framing made knowledge and truth political questions — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 54; Neoliberalism’s critique of rival ideologies drew on epistemological conventionalism — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 62 (+5 more)
• DEFINE: Helpfully distinguishes the two rival logics inside neoliberalism: a scientific program versus pragmatic moral appeals.
• QUESTION: Worth chasing: how did the ‘scientific method’ strand and the ideological control strand each develop after The Road to Serfdom’s success?

Broader Connections

• Neoliberalism rests on a double truth separating elite doctrine from mass propaganda #expands (0.82) — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin, 2146
• Neoliberalism’s deliberate epistemic inconsistencies enabled its long-term success #expands (0.78)
• Neoliberalism self-consciously planned as a multi-generational intellectual project #corroborates (0.75) — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin, 116
• Neoliberalism’s social theory is fundamentally epistemological, recoding freedom as instrumental to independent orders #corroborates (0.72)