Party Focus Question

[parochial boy]

The term is more confusing than enlightening.

You could justifiably say that about any descriptor of political beliefs/ideology. Socialism, Liberalism, Communism, Conservatism are all broad and open to interpretation enough to not be useful labels.

Neoliberalism does imply a set of beliefs around policies that increase the role of a deregulated private sector in the economy; at the expense of state intervention.

If you are happy to leave it at that sort of general, broad level, then it is a label that has some meaning. When you try to describe the detail, it becomes meaningless - as do most labels.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Here's a good description.

If I had to take one issue with it, I'd say I wish he gave more importance to the moral tenets that underscore neoliberalism (namely the idea that the value of anything - including human beings - is determined by "the market", ie by how much people are willing to pay for it). This is why you end up with beliefs that the rich and successful ought to be admired, and that the poor are undeserving moochers. It's the ultimate conflation of might and right.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Here's a good description.

If I had to take one issue with it, I'd say I wish he gave more importance to the moral tenets that underscore neoliberalism (namely the idea that the value of anything - including human beings - is determined by "the market", ie by how much people are willing to pay for it). This is why you end up with beliefs that the rich and successful ought to be admired, and that the poor are undeserving moochers. It's the ultimate conflation of might and right.

I think using "neoliberalism" to describe all of this has the danger of conflating a cluster of economic theories, particular policies and institutions, and these moral tenets you are describing.  These things don't necessarily run together, and in fact may diverge quite considerably.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Here's a good description.

If I had to take one issue with it, I'd say I wish he gave more importance to the moral tenets that underscore neoliberalism (namely the idea that the value of anything - including human beings - is determined by "the market", ie by how much people are willing to pay for it). This is why you end up with beliefs that the rich and successful ought to be admired, and that the poor are undeserving moochers. It's the ultimate conflation of might and right.

I think using "neoliberalism" to describe all of this has the danger of conflating a cluster of economic theories, particular policies and institutions, and these moral tenets you are describing.  These things don't necessarily run together, and in fact may diverge quite considerably.

See, that's where I disagree. I think the various components of neoliberalism only start making sense when understood as a whole. The economic works of Hayek, Friedman and their heirs are deeply ingrained into these moral assumptions, and conversely the wide acceptance of neoclassical economic theory has been exploited to push forward these moral tenets. Taken together (and along with its third branch - the political) they form a totalizing system of thought that explains almost everything wrong with modern society.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Not a D or R, but I'd probably be an almost stright-ticket Democrat until the Republcians catch up with the modern world. So while social issues are more important to me, I think I'd rather they focus on what will get them elected- economic issues.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Economic (R).  The obsession with social issues is one of the main reasons the GOP has declined so much since the 90s.

[100% pro-life no matter what]

Economic (R).  The obsession with social issues is one of the main reasons the GOP has declined so much since the 90s.

Declined to being the majority party in both houses of Congress, the party of two-thirds of Governors and state legislatures, and the party of the White House?  I'd like to see a party doing better than we are right now.

[Green Line]

I couldn't decide on one.  They're both important.  It's not as black and white as IINO Tom would have us think.  Money isn't the end-all in life.

[Orthogonian Society Treasurer]

The question is nonsensical as the two issues are inextricably linked.