What the heck is a "neoliberal"?

[Skidmore]

I get the heebyjeebies when I hear the word "neoconservative", and I know what they stand for. What are the neoliberals reacting to? Who are they?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Way I see it...

NeoLiberals are a figment of fevered FreePee Imaginations.

[drumwolf]

2. "neoliberal" = free trade / free market

NOT "liberal" in the DU sense of the word. And there is a huge amount of overlap between "neoconservatives" and "neoliberals" -- many people who are one also tend to be the other as well.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. I remember when neoliberals first came into prominence in the 80s

Their notion was that the Democratic Party had to be more "business friendly" and more open to "free trade," and not be so beholden to silly things like workers' rights.

In other words, they came into prominence along with increased corporate contributions to the Democrats.

[rman]

6. Then some DINO's figured the party better become "moderate",

in order not to lose voters to the Repubs. So the DLC was created (1985), the rest is history.

[Lizz612]

7. Neo-Liberal =?= Classical Liberalism

It was my understanding that they believe more in classical economic liberalism, lasse faire type of thing. Is this correct?

Do you know what the term neo-classical means? Or am I importing a term from art? ...So confused...

[drumwolf]

8. yep, you pretty much got it

"Liberal" as a term to describe DU'ers is a relatively recent definition.

Not familiar with the term "neo-classical" in this context.

[Lizz612]

10. I'm making things up then

The problem with a liberal arts education, too many people in too many fields using terms that are too similar (or the same) and meaning very different things.

[progdonkey]

4. economic vs. military might

Check out this link

As an extremely rough guide, I usually think of Neoliberalism as being an establishment of American, etc., hegemony through economic might and Neoconservatism as being such through military might.

Greg Palast has a lot on Neo-liberalism.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. Moderate (sort of) repugs who call themselves Dems - aka DLC

[serryjw]

9. Go from 1 to10

ONE being Wellstone/Kucinich and 10 being Wolfowitz. The entire leadership is 5-10 NOW. The democrats have moved both economically & Militarily to the right ( but still socially liberal)...NO ONE IS speaking for the left 40% of the country.