Neoliberalism and crisis of democratic capitalism

from the economic approach to the foundations of society

Authors

  • Sérgio Mendonça Benedito Universidade de São Paulo (USP)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14244/agenda.2023.2.10

Keywords:

Neoliberalism, Crisis of democracy, Political economy, Ideology

Abstract

Recent works on the concept and the neoliberal political project have offered means to more accurate interpretations of the current social, economic and political conjuncture –translated into the crisis of democratic capitalism. This essay aims to explore some of the main arguments of authors such as Mirowski, Plehwe, Biebricher, and Slobodian to place them in dialogue with the recent works of sociologist Wolfgang Streeck. With this, I intend to demonstrate that understanding neoliberalism in its terms allows the overcoming of interpretations too focused on market extremism and the supposed institution of a minimal state. From its origins, the neoliberal project implied an appropriation and direction by the state towards a certain moral and social conception in which the market occupies a prominent place. Therefore, for those who aim to oppose neoliberalism, it is also necessary to build a political project that goes beyond the economic dimension and challenges their model of society.

Author Biography

Sérgio Mendonça Benedito, Universidade de São Paulo (USP)

Doutorando em Ciência Política pela Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bacharel em Ciências Sociais e mestre em Ciência Política pela Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG).

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Published

2024-04-03

How to Cite

BENEDITO, Sérgio Mendonça. Neoliberalism and crisis of democratic capitalism: from the economic approach to the foundations of society . Revista Agenda Política, [S. l.], v. 11, n. 2, p. 219–240, 2024. DOI: 10.14244/agenda.2023.2.10. Disponível em: https://www.agendapolitica.ufscar.br/index.php/agendapolitica/article/view/801. Acesso em: 30 apr. 2025.

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