Graduate Program
Political Science
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Semester of Degree Completion
2009
Thesis Director
David Carwell
Thesis Committee Member
Ryan Hendrickson
Thesis Committee Member
Jeff Ashley
Abstract
Neoliberalism is a set of economic policies which emerged amongst states during the 1980s in order to create comparative advantages. This thesis explains what neoliberalism is, how it spread around the globe, and what the critiques of neoliberalism are. A background of the critique of Latin American neoliberalism is provided and followed immediately by a case study of three Latin American states. A quantitative analysis of neoliberalism and economic and social data is described and results are provided. The overall conclusion suggests that many of the criticisms of neoliberalism are not universally observed within all states, but some critiques are found within the states qualitatively examined. In the end, comparative advantage does not universally occur from neoliberal reforms and states remove neoliberal policies during recession indicating that neoliberalism does not perform as economists suggest.
Recommended Citation
Bowling, Jeremy, "Deconstructing liberalism: Are the criticisms associated with neoliberal economic policies universal?" (2009). Masters Theses. 563.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/563
