Critically assess the claim that contemporary globalization can be best characterized as neoliberal in terms of economic and political organization?
“There is no alternative.” These were the words used by Margaret Thatcher in an attempt to make Britain and the world realise the inevitability of neoliberalism and how the free market economy and capitalist globalization will benefit contemporary societies. Neoliberalism in the western hemisphere has dominated the economy and political ideology since the 1970s. This adopted policy in the UK and US has benefitted the global economy and thus contributed significantly to increasing interconnections and easier international trade. Neoliberalism however, can also be seen as a threat to the class system, generating a larger gap between rich and poor, especially in third world countries. This therefore hinders globalisation and sparks controversy in defining the term. It is my aim to discuss whether globalisation can best be defined as neoliberal and the effect neoliberalism has had on the global economy and politics.
Neoliberalism is the doctrine, which has become the most prominent logic and practice adopted by most of the world since the 1970s. It proposes that market processes are to be highlighted and tariffs and quotes on trade eradicated, privatization and finance are also at the forefront of the neoliberal agenda. State intervention has to be kept at a minimal to allow the state to flourish with little to no restrictions on trading. This political rationale promotes individualism where there is the belief that people are “free through governing”. Advocates of neoliberalism conclude that people should be self-reliant on everyday elements such as health and education. Neoliberalism is the economic ideology of today for the world. In