Neoliberalism and Unequal Development: Alternatives and Transitions in Europe, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa

Neoliberalism has evolved from ideology to political program, public policy, and constitutional rule since the 1970s, legitimizing technocratic despotism, financial deregulation, precarious labor, and constitutional-political emptying. This book examines critical perspectives in mainstream neoliberal development analysis, focusing on the neoliberal experiment as a global historical construct through the cases of Africa, Latin America, and Europe. It also considers the weakness of the state resulting from neo-liberal austerity and fiscal stabilization policies, which have amplified the inability to collectively deal with the COVID-19 crisis.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Neoliberalism has undergone a remarkable transformation since the 1970s, evolving from an ideology to a political program, then to public policy, and finally to constitutional rule. This transformative process has been facilitated by the endorsement of an uncritical, a-historical, and apolitical economic theory that has legitimized technocratic despotism, financial deregulation, precarious labor, and constitutional-political emptying.

In this comprehensive book, we explore critical perspectives in mainstream neoliberal development analysis. We examine the neoliberal experiment as a global historical construct through the cases of Africa, Latin America, and Europe. Our analysis begins in 1980 with the implementation of Structural Adjustment Plans in Latin America and Africa, followed by the Maastricht Treaty in 1990 in Europe. This period marked a significant shift, exemplified by the Africa Rising narrative, which aimed to promote the idea of an economically emerging continent.

Furthermore, we consider the weakness of the state resulting from neo-liberal austerity and fiscal stabilization policies, which have exacerbated the inability to collectively address the social, economic, and political impact of the COVID-19 crisis. One of the book's key strengths is its extensive comparative analysis between regions, using case studies from African countries.

The authors skillfully connect the different regional perspectives included in the book, presenting them in a clear and coherent manner that will appeal to students, scholars, official development agencies, and third-sector organizations interested in the social, economic, and political outcomes of globalization. This book will be a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the complex dynamics of neoliberal development and its impact on societies in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe.

Weight: 490g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367720674