Are Markets a False Religion? "The Red Guide to the Neoliberal Playbook"

Neoliberalism shapes global economic policies, impacts social inequality, and influences political power dynamics. Understanding its effects helps to address systemic issues, promote equitable economic practices, and develop more sustainable and inclusive policy alternatives.

We will study the book Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste: How Neoliberalism Survived the Financial Meltdown (2013) by Philip Mirowski, a leading critic of neoliberal economic policies. The book explores how neoliberalism has not only persisted but thrived following economic crises, challenging the notion that such crises would lead to a paradigm shift in economic thinking.

Please read chapter 6 ("The Red Guide to the Neoliberal Playbook") before our discussion. You can find a PDF copy of the book here.

This YouTube video can serve as a general introduction to Mirowski's thoughts on the History of Economics and markets.