Neoliberalism and right-wing populism: Conceptual analogies

Arbeitspapier

The paper compares neoliberal market-fundamentalism and right-wing populism on the basis of its core patterns of thinking and reasoning. Hence we offer an analysis of the work of important founders of market-fundamental economic thinking (particularly von Mises) and an established definition of populism (demonstrated by the example of arguments brought forward by leading populists, like Trump). In doing so, we highlight conceptual resemblances of these two approaches: Both assume a dually divided world that is split into only two countervailing parts. Right-wing populism shows a society split into two groups, fighting against each other. In a similar vein, neoliberal market-fundamentalists argue that there are only two possible countervailing economic and societal orders. We argue that the categorical analogies between neoliberal marketfundamentalism and right-wing populism could provide the basis for a new form of authoritarian neoliberalism.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Working Paper Serie ; No. Ök-36

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; History of Economic Thought through 1925: Other ; Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit: General ; Policy Objectives; Policy Designs and Consistency; Policy Coordination ; Studies of Particular Policy Episodes ; General Financial Markets: Government Policy and Regulation ; Corporate Finance and Governance: Government Policy and Regulation ; Cultural Economics: Public Policy
• Subject: right-wing populism ; market-fundamentalism ; Ludwig von Mises ; Donald Trump ; patterns of thinking

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Pühringer, Stephan ; Ötsch, Walter
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Cusanus Hochschule, Institut für Ökonomie und Institut für Philosophie
• (where): Bernkastel-Kues
• (when): 2017

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/196158
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:45 AM CET