Neoliberal disruption and neoliberalism’s afterlife in Latin America: What is left of post-neoliberalism?

Abstract

The rejection of neoliberalism in Latin America at the time of the new millennium led to a wave of ‘post-neoliberal’ governments that sought to renegotiate the relationship between state and market and pioneer new forms of inclusive welfare. These governments attempted to implement a new economic model that bore some similarities to social democracy, alongside greater emphasis on recognition and identity politics. As this period gradually closes, we ask what accounts for the difficulties of institutionalising redistributive Leftist governance in Latin America. In so doing, we draw attention to the embeddedness of the idea of neoliberal governance, globally and regionally. Whilst the weaknesses of the Latin American Left are real, the return of neoliberalism reflects the fact it is still status quo governance everywhere.

Keywords

inequalities Latin America neoliberalism post-neoliberal governance social inclusion

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