ABSTRACT
Neoliberalism defies simple definition. Marxist analyses are by definition systemic, and seek to encompass the economic, sociological, institutional, political, legal, cultural, ideological and other aspects of neoliberalism. As a system of ideas, neoliberalism draws upon the contributions of a wide spectrum of variously talented, frequently inconsistent and sometimes spectacularly cantankerous writers, including Friedrich von Hayek, Ludwig von Mises, Wilhelm Röpke, Ludwig Erhard, Milton Friedman, James Buchanan. Marxist studies have shown that the neoliberal policies implemented through Reaganism, Thatcherism and the Washington Consensus are largely inspired by the Chicago School, and they are supported by five ontological planks. Marxist analyses have also shown that the neoliberal policy reforms are usually implemented through a two-stage process. The first phase of neoliberalism requires forceful state intervention to contain labor, disorganize the left, promote the transnational integration of domestic capital and put in place the new institutional framework. The second phase focuses on the stabilization of the social relations imposed in the earlier period.
