Why Neo-Liberalism Failed in France

Political Sociology of the Spread of Neo-liberal Ideas in France (1974-2012)
1. Auflage 2021
ISBN: 978-3-030-82187-6
Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buch, Englisch, 355 Seiten, Format (B × H): 153 mm x 216 mm, Gewicht: 603 g

Reihe: Palgrave Studies in Classical Liberalism

This book fills a gap in the literature on economic liberalism in France as it strives to resolve a paradox. How do we reconcile the fact that while France has been among the most fertile of soils for the liberal intellectual tradition, the theoretical ideas it has produced has little impact on its own public debate and public policies?
Using a wide range of data on public policies, it demonstrates that neo-liberal thought has had far less influence in France than in other European nations during the period from 1974 to 2012. The failure of neo-liberalism to propagate in public policies France is shown to be mainly due to the strong resistance of public opinion towards it. In addition, the structure of French institutions has reinforced the effect of "path dependence" in the making of public policy by valuing state expertise above that of actors likely to question the post-war consensus, such as academics and think tanks. Finally, the book identifies other more incidental factors which contributed to neo-liberalism marginality: the fragmentation and radicalism of neo-liberal advocates, as well as the absence of charismatic political actors to effectively embody these ideas.



This book is a useful educational tool for students of economics, sociology, political science, and of French political history. This book is also of interest for journalists, think tank researchers and professionals of politics and administration.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Brookes, Kevin

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Regierungspolitik Wirtschafts- und Finanzpolitik
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Wirtschaftssoziologie, Arbeitssoziologie, Organisationssoziologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Ideologien Liberalismus, Libertarismus
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Geschichte
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Theorie, Politische Philosophie
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Politische Soziologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Kultur Politische Soziologie und Psychologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Studien zu einzelnen Ländern und Gebieten
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Volkswirtschaftslehre Wirtschaftspolitik, politische Ökonomie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction.- Chapter 1: Why Neoliberalism Spread in Some Countries, But Not Others.- Chapter 2: The spread of neoliberalism in French public policies: Is there a French exception ?.- Chapter 3: The Value of Public Opinion, Political Party Discourse and the Politics of Liberalisation in France.- Chapter 4: The Structure of French Knowledge Regimes as a Factor in Resistance to Neoliberalism.- Chapter 5: “A spring without a summer”: the political failure of neoliberalism (1984-2012).- CONCLUSION: Why it didn’t happen here.

Über Autor(innen)

Kevin Brookes is a political scientist and an associate researcher at the social sciences department of Grenoble Alpes University (PACTE). He holds a PhD in political science and has taught in various universities in Canada and in France. His research interests include the history of neo-liberal thought, the interaction between ideas and public policies, and public opinion.