Neoliberalism as a Political Programme and Elements of its Implementation – A Narrative in Theoretical History

Abstract

Through the analysis of relevant literature, the study seeks to answer how the interactions of economic theories and social stakeholder groups is implemented in practice. The conclusion is that neoliberal ideology may be interpreted as a political programme of a social stakeholder group. The study presents the theoretical source of the programme: the operation of the Mont Pelerin Society, a political movement of economists and social philosophers, and it also puts forward examples for theoretical innovation in economics surfacing as early as the seventies, which facilitated the redefinition of the role of the state. The analysis highlights mechanisms reflecting the social acceptance of neoliberalism, such as the setting up of a network of think tanks, which, for the first time in the history of economics, were applied with great success by thinkers related to the Mont Pelerin Society. The unique relationship of theories and social stakeholder groups is well reflected in the fact that the institutional system disseminating theories of marketisation could never have been established without industrialists.