This paper has primarily attempted to determine whether neoliberal economic policy is making a return to Brazil, and secondarily what the most likely explanation for this could be. The elections of...Show moreThis paper has primarily attempted to determine whether neoliberal economic policy is making a return to Brazil, and secondarily what the most likely explanation for this could be. The elections of October 2018 provided the context to perform an analysis on this subject: the two candidates competing in the second round of elections, Jair Bolsonaro and Fernando Haddad and their visions on economic policy for Brazil have been analyzed through the method of content analysis. The programas de governo or governing programs of both candidates has served as the main subject of the study. Additionally articles in journals and interviews have been taken into consideration. Neoliberal economic policy in this paper is defined as a specific set of economic policies associated with the Washington Consensus. Although the Washington Consensus contains a total of ten advised economic reforms, the analysis in this paper will focus on specifically three, namely privatization, trade liberalization and austerity. This will be followed by a demonstration of a ‘retreat’ of neoliberal economic policy worldwide at the hand of the trade policies of the Trump administration in the United States and the change of direction made by International Financial Institutions. Thirdly, the political situation of the last years in Brazil will be described in order to provide the reader with the necessary context for the analysis. Fourthly, the turn to neoliberal economic policy under the current Temer administration will be demonstrated to establish that neoliberalism has returned to Brazil, albeit in the form of a government with near to no public support: favorable views of the (neoliberal) reforms among the candidates under study would be a strong indication a continuation of this policy under a new president is likely. This has been researched through the programas de governo, articles and interviews. Lastly, two possible explanations have been considered. The paper will conclude that it is indeed likely that Brazil, now with a candidate enjoying significant public support, will continue on the path of neoliberal economic policy. This return to neoliberal economic policy will be concluded to be due to a form of crisis management in Brazil.Show less
This thesis examines the relationship of neoliberal policies and growing inequality in the Japanese labour market after the bubble burst in early 1990’s. The purpose of this research is to...Show moreThis thesis examines the relationship of neoliberal policies and growing inequality in the Japanese labour market after the bubble burst in early 1990’s. The purpose of this research is to determine whether labour inequality levels have risen as a result of the neoliberal agendas that the government of Japan has adopted over the past few decades. The policies and the agendas of four Prime Ministers will be discussed: Yasuhiro Nakasone (pre-bubble burst), Ryutaro Hashimoto (post-bubble burst and during Asian crisis), Junichiro Koizumi (pre-financial crisis) and Shinzo Abe (post-financial crisis). This research demonstrates that certain aspects of labour inequality have been altered using process tracing in a multi-disciplinary approach consisting of both qualitative and qualitative sources to analyze the outcomes of these policy measures. The theoretical and empirical analysis showcase that, whilst the transformation of the Japanese economic model has not been linear, there is a gradual neoliberal progress in the labour sector reflected by the continuous deregulation schemes that the administrations have chosen to pursue. The Japanese labour institutions and, therefore, the Japanese social contract have been considerably transformed as part of the neoliberal reforms.Show less
The European Union (EU) has often been accused of displaying a neoliberal bias. In the new phase of positive integration, this academic debate has primarily focused on the substantive ideological...Show moreThe European Union (EU) has often been accused of displaying a neoliberal bias. In the new phase of positive integration, this academic debate has primarily focused on the substantive ideological orientation of European policies within the framework of European economic governance. In this regard, some scholars have argued that, based on the intricacies of its practical operation, the process of implementation can have a considerable effect on the final ideological orientation of these EU policies. This thesis aims to build on the existing debate by focusing on the role played by the European Commission in managing the implementation of these EU policies through the so-called Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs). For this purpose, this thesis carries out a qualitative and contextualised in-depth analysis of the process of implementation by conducting a single case study that focuses on employment-related CSRs issued to Spain during the period 2005-2014. The aim is to find patterns in the ideological orientation of CSRs issued by the European Commission that could reveal the existence of a neoliberal bias in European economic governance.Show less
This thesis deals with the current inequality levels present in Chile and how these are highly reflected in the education system. In-depth research has been conducted on how the implementation of...Show moreThis thesis deals with the current inequality levels present in Chile and how these are highly reflected in the education system. In-depth research has been conducted on how the implementation of the neoliberal economic model has created segregation in education. The higher level of education has been used as a case study in order to illustrate the levels of inequality and social discontent present in Chile. Finally, in order to gain better knowledge and overview of the reluctance towards this neoliberal system in education, two student revolutions (2006 and 2011) are taken into analysis. These manifestations have risen due to the unequal access and opportunities in higher education and is seen as a symptom of this. Although Chile has the healthiest economy in the region of Latin America, it is also the country that presents one of the highest levels of inequality in the world, making it an ideal country to analyse. Since the implementation of the economic neoliberal model in 1973, Chile has performed with great economic growth. It has even been labelled as the “Economic Miracle”. Nevertheless, the neoliberal model has had various consequences, which are analysed throughout this paper. Moreover, the economic model in education is put into question as it is benefiting mainly students from higher class families and putting into financial burden those from lower social classes.Show less
This research is based on the ‘new’ or ‘modern’ form of slavery, looking specifically at child labour as a form of ‘new’ slavery. The topic of ‘modern’ slavery is of immense importance, as it...Show moreThis research is based on the ‘new’ or ‘modern’ form of slavery, looking specifically at child labour as a form of ‘new’ slavery. The topic of ‘modern’ slavery is of immense importance, as it persists in economies worldwide as a tool to maximize profit while keeping labour costs low. The thesis attempts to disclose the relationship between child labour as a form of ‘new’ slavery in the context of neoliberalism and reciprocity. Neoliberalism, which describes the liberal market system, was brought to Ghana through Structural Adjustment Programs, which, instead of creating opportunities of entrepreneurships, worsened the situation for many workers and gave incentives to exploit labourer and children for profit maximization. While the latter reflects the global level of impacts on child labour, reciprocity is a custom that helps understanding the local (national) perspective of it. Also, the traditional custom of reciprocity that is a crucial part of Ghana’s society, has negative impact on the increase of child labour, as it can be stated that some parents abuse their children to fulfil duties that hinder them in their educational and personal development. The thesis is based on secondary sources and analyses the question: how do neoliberalism and reciprocity encourage child labour in the cocoa farming in the case of Ghana?Show less
By conducting a comparative analysis between Argentina and Chile this thesis examines the experiences of neoliberalism between 1980 and 2016 in relation to the development of the political economy...Show moreBy conducting a comparative analysis between Argentina and Chile this thesis examines the experiences of neoliberalism between 1980 and 2016 in relation to the development of the political economy of those counties. Additionally, this thesis analysis whether market-oriented reforms have improve the reduction of unemployment, poverty, and income inequality. By comparing the experiences of neoliberalism in Argentina and Chile over time, this thesis observes different results of the premises of the processes. While Argentina improves its GDP as well as its reduction in unemployment, poverty and income inequality, in times of state-oriented reforms, Chile continuously implements neoliberal market policies and decreases its level of poverty, while income inequality remains stable.Show less
The field of Economics and International Political Economy (IPE) often omits the importance of an idea that shapes an agent’s interests and behaviors, which can be crucial to understanding the...Show moreThe field of Economics and International Political Economy (IPE) often omits the importance of an idea that shapes an agent’s interests and behaviors, which can be crucial to understanding the policy’s decision-making process. This paper argues the power of economic ideas, which, formulated by internal and external affairs, have the capacity to change the institution, also providing the reasoning for certain policy choices. The paper will explore reasons to certain policy measures that happened in two financial crises in the Republic of Korea, by tracking back into the economic ideas of Neoliberalism and Pragmatism that were dominated by the policy makers during the Kim Young Sam and Lee Myung Bak administration.Show less
