A European social model of state-market relations: the ethics of competition from a neo-liberal perspective

Arbeitspapier

In this paper I portray "neo-liberalism" in its original conceptual meaning as opposed to the generic term of depreciation as which it is commonly used. I identify fair competition and the denial of all privilege as the major concerns of original neo-liberals. Ethical merit for competition might, at first sight, be based on only two principles: individual natural rights (equal liberty) and socially desirable outcomes ("unintended altruism"). It was the neo-liberal idea to put fairness-norms or universally applicable rules of just behaviour between an unqualified "input-based" ethics and an unqualified "output-based" ethical consequentialism. The enforcement of such rules is a major obligation of the state. Today, the European Union assumes the role of "guardian" of competition. In a certain, but limited sense, neoliberalism, correctly understood, can be argued to be the one founding "European Social Model". However, beyond the realm of common, universalisable interests, competition amongst social-political models seems a preferable option for Europe.

Show object

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Freiburger Diskussionspapiere zur Ordnungsökonomik ; No. 08/9

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft
• Subject: Neo-liberalism ; Ordo-liberalism ; European Social Models ; Ethics of Competition ; Marktwirtschaft ; Staat ; Wirtschaftsliberalismus ; Wettbewerb ; Wirtschaftsethik ; EU-Staaten

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Wohlgemuth, Michael
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Institut für Allgemeine Wirtschaftsforschung, Abteilung für Wirtschaftspolitik
• (where): Freiburg i. Br.
• (when): 2008

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/36453