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On your first point, I agree overall; however, I do not think that neolibs think that the democratic process is the only way to effect change. They accept election results and don't apply violence; but the There Is No Alternative meme is very strong. They argue for (when in opposition) or attempt to implement (when in government) policies against electoral promises or (wide) public opinion majorities. This is a crucial point in their view on referenda, too (e.g. they oppose referenda as something preventing the government from doing what it wants or as an outlet for demagogues and stupid plebs when it affects a liberalising economic reform).

On your quibble-clarification, I should have stated that myself -- it's obvious for us two but neither for Western Europeans nor for Americans.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Thu Jun 11th, 2009 at 01:25:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I don't really see the difference between the criticisms you address towards the neolibs and the behaviour of the SD's in promoting the welfare state in the postwar period - TINA, institutionalization, delegtimization, and last, but really not least what could be called 'disaster social democracy' - the exploitation of the ur-disasters of twentieth century Europe to push radical socio-economic change (WWI, Communism, fascism, Great Depression, WWII). And I also don't really see these practices as somehow beyond the normal democratic game. The key difference between the neolibs is an acceptance of democratic legitimacy when push comes to shove. That's something you don't have with the extreme right nor with the classical communist movement.
by MarekNYC on Thu Jun 11th, 2009 at 04:24:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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