Ordoliberal founders blamed parliamentary democracy for weakening state authority

Evidence

Neither Rüstow nor Eucken was keen to repress or disguise their critique of the democratization of the economy and society following the events of 1918–1919 and encapsulated within the Weimar Constitution. Both blamed the introduction of parliamentarian democracy for destroying the dualism of state and society, which in the past had secured a balance between state authority and free individuals. They also contended that through its dependence on political parties and the popular vote the government lost authority and the ability to exert leadership in society. After 1919, government authority was based on the “principle of horse trading,” according to Rüstow ( 1959, 91). He regarded the search for political compromise in the context of the Weimar constitutional state as an effort to evade political responsibility, which deprived the state of its capacity to act. — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin, 527

Categorization

• DEFINE: Introduces Rüstow’s ‘principle of horse trading’ as the ordoliberal characterization of Weimar parliamentary bargaining.
• XREF: Connects to Carl Schmitt’s critique of parliamentary democracy and the broader interwar assault on Weimar institutions. — connects to: Early ordoliberal and Austrian critiques of parliamentarism harbored authoritarian leanings — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin: The Making…, 543; Ordoliberalism entailed an authoritarian skepticism toward democracy — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin: The Making…, 557; Early ordoliberalism demanded a strong independent state to counter organized interests — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin: The Making…, 524 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Early ordoliberal and Austrian critiques of parliamentarism harbored authoritarian leanings #corroborates (0.92) — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin, 543
• Ordoliberalism entailed an authoritarian skepticism toward democracy #corroborates (0.85) — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin, 557
• Early ordoliberalism demanded a strong independent state to counter organized interests #expands (0.78) — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin, 524
• Early neoliberals rejected laissez-faire and wanted strong state action #expands (0.72)