• TokenBoomer@lemmy.worldOP
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    1 year ago

    Yes, they are just words. But the words are used to describe real world actions. Reagan was a neoliberal because of his adherence to capitalism and the free market. In the 90’s, Third Way Democrats under Bill Clinton became the Democratic Party. They too, we’re neoliberal because of their beliefs in the global free markets and capitalism. NAFTA was signed under Clinton. Any member of the Republican or Democratic Party could be considered neoliberal today. You can debate how much they are neoliberal, but the concept that we must let the capitalist free market reign is endemic in American politics. To say otherwise is disingenuous.

    • Cleverdawny@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      Nope, that’s not how it is. Neoliberalism as an actual ideology is about deregulation, austerity, and opposition to Keynesian economics, as well as privatization and anti union activism.

      None of that describes any Democrat in office.

      Every serious politician since the end of WW2 in the US is a capitalist. Free trade isn’t exclusive to neoliberalism. The way you’re presenting the term, it’s just a meaningless insult for moderates you politically disagree with.

      • TokenBoomer@lemmy.worldOP
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        1 year ago

        I’ll grant you there has been a senantic shift in the meaning of neoliberalism. Just because you don’t like the shift doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Or that the new meaning doesn’t apply. And the accepted definition applies to all capitalist politicians now. Your argument isn’t with me, it’s with society’s definition of the word.

        • Cleverdawny@lemm.ee
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          1 year ago

          Then the semantic shift is towards a meaningless pejorative and doesn’t refer to any actual political ideology. By your definition, the only thing separating Bernie Sanders from being a neoliberal is him voting for a free trade agreement.

          • TokenBoomer@lemmy.worldOP
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            1 year ago

            You can debate whether specific individuals are neoliberal. The word is used to describe the policy of America from the 80’s onward. But please continue to argue against water being wet. It’s entertaining.

                • Cleverdawny@lemm.ee
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                  1 year ago

                  I’m the one quoting the definition. You’re trying to pretend it is “capitalist and free trade”

                  • TokenBoomer@lemmy.worldOP
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                    1 year ago

                    Yeah dog, Imma trust the accepted definition of multitudes of others over your self satisfying definition you made up on the toilet.