Warp and weave : the evolution of the capitalist state under globalisation

This collection of articles examines aspects of the evolution of the capitalist state following the global crisis of the 1970s up to the Great Recession beginning in 2008. Drawing from the theoretical work of James OConnor, Nicos Poulantzas and the Amsterdam School of global political economy in particular, the articles deal in turnwith key episodes charting the transnationalisation of the state. Precursors to the neoliberal era are explored in detail, with particular reference to the post-1945 history of the United Kingdom, whose economic and geopolitical importance in many ways made it a pivotal actor on the world stage, as both a standard bearer and a laboratory of neoliberal reform. The global hegemony of the United States, which has acted as the main promoter and enforcer of neoliberalism, is examined with particular emphasis on its financial and economic aspects. The key role of the international financial institutions following the Second World War is discussed. The commodification of health care is treated as a case study of how neoliberal transformation has worked in a particular sector. The evolution of the European Union from potential economic fortress to neoliberal standard bearer is also scrutinised. As an introductory overview concludes, following the global financial crisis of 2007 onwards the developmental path charted by neoliberalism has reached an impasse, marked by both the exhaustion of neoliberalism as a policy agenda and orthodox economics as its ideological ballast. Given the continuities of institutions and personnel, however, there is as yet little sign of a significant change of direction