Lessons for Liberalism in the 21st Century: Lessons from the Colloque Walter Lippmann

Authors

Sandra J. Peart, University of RichmondFollow
Karen Horn
Stefan Kolev
David M. Levy

Abstract

The term “neoliberalism” is on everyone’s lips. It is often used to criticize market-oriented reforms, the dismantling of the welfare state, skepticism toward democracy,and a roll-back of the state in general. This practice started in the 1970s and is now dominant. With its strong negative connotations in everyday use, the term serves above all a rhetorical function in political debates that cannot easily be reconciled with its earlier meanings. As former German President Joachim Gauck pointed out in a much-noticed speech, the term“neoliberal economic policy” was originally supposed to designate exactly the opposite: A reformed liberalism, very distinct from the laissez-faire of the 19^th century, emphasizing the essential constructive role of the state in shaping and enforcing the economic order (Gauck 2015).

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2019

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2019, Duncker & Humblot.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3790/schm.139.2-4.177

Recommended Citation

Horn, K., Kolev, S., Levy, D., Peart, S. Liberalism in the 21st Century: Lessons from the Colloque Walter Lippmann. Journal of Contextual Economics – Schmollers Jahrbuch, 139(2–4), 177-188. https://doi.org/10.3790/schm.139.2-4.177