Neoliberalism reversed the state’s protective role toward shielding markets

Evidence

In their view, the role of the government was not to protect vulnerable segments of the population from the potential violence of market relations but, instead, to shelter the allegedly fragile mechanisms of the market from stifling rules and the disabling influence of so-called “special interests” which ranged from organized labor to protectors of the environment. — Wendy Brown, Undoing the Demos, 745

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Postwar liberal revivalists framed state intervention as a neutral arbiter protecting market rules — Angus Burgin, The Great Persuasion: Reinventing Free…, 194; Early neoliberalism allowed state intervention alongside price mechanisms, even tariffs — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 389; Neoliberals favored deterrent poor-relief because generous dole undermined market discipline — Jessica Whyte, The Morals of the Market: Human Rights…, 218 (+16 more)

Broader Connections

• The neoliberal state governs for the market, not because of it. #corroborates (0.85) — Wendy Brown, Undoing the Demos, 111
• Neoliberal states redefined their mandate from welfare to securitization and control #expands (0.82)
• Neoliberalism reversed classical liberalism’s suspicion of monopoly and corporate power. #expands (0.78) — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin, 2133
• Neoliberalism inverted classical liberalism by defending monopoly and corporate power #expands (0.75) — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 175