Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism

A good enough overview of neoliberalism, and a good primer for other more detailed books on the subject. Monbiot does offer a solution to the problems he describes (basically, a more local form of trade and capitalism). I feel that Monbiot's political instincts are broadly fine, but he does seem a little too trusting of the establishment and elites in general.

Accessible, clear and a bit mind-blowing this record of how we got into the mess we have achieved politically in the last 30-40 years in the UK/US and some other countries. A look at Neoliberalism, a term that even its followers are choosing to avoid using. How not only the Tories/Republicans have grasped this nettle, but the Labour and the US Dems have utilised rather than overhauled many of the methods in their practices, rather than strip them down. Moving from a more equitable society, into an extremely unbalanced ‘rich get richer/poor get poorer’ place, where the political leaders/banks/media and all the other institutions have persuaded us that there is no way out of the current system, and that we can only continue with show more it.

Near the end of the volume, an exploration of what might help us change this un-relenting continuation and abuse of power.

Highly recommended for those interested in politics.

I haven’t watched this yet, but don’t doubt it will be interesting (46 minutes):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-cP1prsBIo show less

I read this book as part of a Book Club that I am a member. I would not have acquired it otherwise. Personally speaking I feel that Monbiot is preaching to the converted already ie a certain type of reader who already reads/buys his Guardian column and associated literature. I must stress I am not a fan of neo-liberal economics and like him I share his disparaging of the exotic escapism of Rand, Laffer, Friedman and Hayek, dismissed by almost all sane ecomomists and indeed modern theory yet funded through private enterprise and sadly funding their own research schools as a result ever since the Reagan-Thatcher era which enshrined the withdrawl of the state from enterprise in the UK and the US to the private market. A balanced centrist show more economy is the better one where private enterprise can be stimulate and ideas allowed to promulgate and find their own niches and acquire associated investment and develop human capital. However, Monbiot as typical lectures the audience on the evils of colonialism/imperialism (rightly so) but also on economics without referring to the evils of communist economics where the development of private enterprise was evil in the first place hence associated freedoms could not escape state control. He does not offer an alternate again sadly just a pious denial of anything to do with modern political thought and economic development.

It is for theorists and lecturers to offer the better way. Whether they can provide this to the political cadre so attached to re-packaged versions of neo-liberalism remains to be seen or not. show less

Excellent “small bite” into the origins and problems with neoliberalism. Highly recommend. Ready to burn it all to the ground and start again.

INDICE
RECENSIONE

INDICE
CONTENTS
1. The Anonymous Ideology
2. The “Free” Market
3. The Fairy Tale of Capitalism
4. Rise of the Neoliberal International
5. The Neoliberal Era
6. What’s Liberal About Neoliberalism?
7. “Rent” and Other Ambiguities
8. The Redistribution of Wealth
9. The Crisis of Democracy
10. The Loneliness of Neoliberalism
11. Invisible Doctrine — Invisible Backers
12. Anomie in the UK
13. Lying Through Their Teeth
14. When Neoliberals Get Everything They Want: A Case Study
15. Attack of the Killer Clowns
16. Conspiracy Fictions
17. Citizens of Nowhere
18. A Flaw in the Model
19. No Exit
20. The Micro - Solutions Myth
21. Mobilization: A Case Study
22. A New Story
23. The Politics of Belonging
24. Private show more Sufficiency, Public Luxury
25. The Tipping Point
Acknowledgments
Notes
Index

E' un'opera investigativa che svela le origini nascoste e l'evoluzione del neoliberismo, un'ideologia economica e politica che ha profondamente influenzato il mondo negli ultimi decenni.
Il libro scava a fondo nelle radici del neoliberismo, tracciando la sua storia dalle prime discussioni intellettuali negli anni '30 fino alla sua ascesa al potere negli anni '80 e '90. Monbiot e Hutchison analizzano come questa dottrina sia stata promossa e diffusa da una rete di think tank, politici e accademici, spesso operando dietro le quinte e lontano dai riflettori pubblici.
Attraverso un'attenta analisi di documenti, interviste e testimonianze, gli autori rivelano come il neoliberismo abbia plasmato le politiche economiche e sociali in tutto il mondo, promuovendo la deregolamentazione dei mercati, la privatizzazione dei servizi pubblici e la riduzione del ruolo dello Stato nell'economia.
Il libro esplora anche le conseguenze del neoliberismo, evidenziando l'aumento delle disuguaglianze economiche, la precarizzazione del lavoro e l'erosione dei diritti sociali. Monbiot e Hutchison sostengono che il neoliberismo ha creato un sistema economico iniquo e insostenibile, che favorisce i ricchi e potenti a scapito della maggioranza della popolazione.
"Invisible Doctrine" è un libro importante e provocatorio, che offre una nuova prospettiva sulla storia recente e sfida le narrazioni dominanti sul neoliberismo. È una lettura essenziale per chiunque voglia comprendere le forze che hanno plasmato il mondo contemporaneo e le sfide che ci attendono nel futuro.
ARGOMENTI
Le Origini del Neoliberismo: Dalle Idee alla Realtà
La Mont Pelerin Society: La Culla del Pensiero Neoliberista
L'Ascesa al Potere: Reagan, Thatcher e la Rivoluzione Neoliberista
Liberalismo e Liberismo
La Globalizzazione del Neoliberismo: Il Washington Consensus e le Istituzioni Internazionali
Le Conseguenze del Neoliberismo: Disuguaglianza, Precarietà e Crisi
Resistenza al Neoliberismo: Movimenti Sociali e Alternative
Conclusioni: Verso un Futuro Oltre il Neoliberismo show less