Essay: Is Post-Neoliberalism a sustainable model of development in contemporary Latin America?

Assessment II: Essay Plan
Research Question: (10) Is Post-Neoliberalism a sustainable model of development in contemporary Latin America?
• Ontology – Anti foundationalist
• Epistemology – interpretivism
• Methodology – Qualitative
• Method – Comparative Case study
Plan to answer the question:
• Introduce the discussion on contemporary Latin America in the context of international development.
• Define international development and what it means to have a sustainable model of development.
• Introduce and contextualise the post-neoliberal debate in Latin America (Pink Tide) and the trend away from neoliberalism (Washington consensus).
• Case Study Venezuela as a failure of post-neoliberalism. Why did it fail?
• Case study Argentina as a success of post-neoliberalism. Why did it succeed?
• Comparative analysis on the circumstances that lead to the transition to post-neoliberal governance and the reasoning behind the success or failure of the post-neoliberal model of development.
o Reveal what factors/circumstances made post-neoliberalism a success in certain cases while demonstrating that it is by no means transferrable.
• Colonial history, corruption, demographics, national identity
• Why is it not transferrable – because every state is inherently different and their unique experiences with postcolonial struggle and neoliberalism all lead to unique outcomes.
Core argument: Is Post-Neoliberalism a sustainable model of development in contemporary Latin America? (It can be given the right circumstances) but that is not to imply that the Post-Neoliberalism model is transferrable in any way (Perfect storm for development). Post-Neoliberalism’s viability as a sustainable model of development is dependent on factors shaped by the remnants of post-colonial struggles and neoliberalism (on a case by case basis), which left deep imprints in Latin American political, social, and economic identity. These marks took shape in the form of disintegrating societies, deteriorating industrial frameworks, neglected public sectors, and political systems in crisis. It also impeded the State’s ability to manage development by enabling legislation that benefitted corporate interests, undermining fiscal, monetary and commercial mechanisms as well as regulatory capacities, eliminating entities able to intervene in markets, and privatising public companies.
The evidence that I will examine:
• Developmental measurements at different points in Latin American history
o Human development and economic development
• History of governance in Latin America, specifically Neoliberalism and the transition into post-neoliberalism governance (Washington consensus and pink tide)
• Discourse on post-neoliberalism, the ideological aspirations and policy in practice
• The definitions of International development and sustainability
o 4 Pillars of sustainability (cultural, economic, social, environmental) and the subject nature of finding a concrete definition
• Specific case study of neoliberal and Post-neoliberal governance in Venezuela
• Specific case study of neoliberal and Post-neoliberal governance Argentina
Theoretical framework: Post-Neoliberalism
Post-neoliberal development does not reject democracy or free market ideals, rather it is a response to the previously common neoliberal methods of development that became the norm in Latin America in the 80’s and 90’s. (Essentially a rejection of the Washington consensus)
‘First an intellectual agenda emerged around a fresh set of ideas to stimulate both economy growth and human development, leading to the introduction of new and often contingent policies that rebuild and extend the role of the state. And secondly, a set of citizenship claims were staked that sought to reclaim the state for reasons of morality, identity and democracy, rather than efficiency. The result is a critique of unmediated marketization (with the suggestion that the state should do a better job in terms of regulation, the provision of public goods and distribution) combined with a greater emphasis on the inclusion of previously excluded groups and the significance of ethnic politics.’
Post-neoliberalism seeks a fundamental redistribution of political power away from the entrenched ruling elites while simultaneously advocating for social, economic, and political policy reforms.
Indicative bibliography:
Grugel, J. & Riggirozzi, P., 2012. Post-neoliberalism in Latin America: Rebuilding and Reclaiming the State after Crisis. Development and Change, 43(1), pp.1–21.
• Argues that the Latin American trend of post-neoliberalism is not necessarily a revival of state capitalism but rather it is a redistribution of power and a reorganisation of the states collective identity. This implies new priorities in regards to the state’s responsibility to its citizens and building more capacity. This reorganization of the state is not for the purpose of growth in economical terms but rather an initiative to ‘make the state public’ and prioritise the interests of the people. Growth arrives as a byproduct of serving the interests of the people.
Kaltwasser, C.R., 2011. Toward Post-Neoliberalism in Latin America? Latin American Research Review, 46(2), pp.225–234.
• Post-neoliberalism as an ideology is not clearly defined and without a clear definition it is impossible to know how it will behave in practice or whether or not it is sustainable. However, it is clear that Latin America is moving away from the norms and direction of the Washington Consensus. This movement varies in its explanation on a case-by-case basis in Latin America but there is uniformity in the direction of this movement and that is away from the previously widespread neoliberal ideals into refocusing on the agency of the state.
Sader, E., 2008. The Weakest Link? Neoliberalism in Latin America.New Left Review, 52, pp.5–31.
• Sader claims that contemporary Latin America continues to experience instability due to the continent’s position between its neoliberal past and the current post neoliberal trend. The amount of leftist governments that have materialised in Latin America have effectively made the continent the weakest link of the neoliberal chain. It is on the Latin American continent where an alternative to United States hegemony and the world order meets its strongest opponent.
Yates, J.S. & Bakker, K., 2013. Debating the ‘post-neoliberal turn’ in Latin America. Progress in Human Geography, 38(1), pp.62–90.
• Neoliberalism is undoubtedly coming to an end in Latin America and this is largely a result of the continent’s states moving away from the Washington Consensus in order to rebuild and reorganise themselves with post-neoliberal foundations and a focus on social aspects and a collective identity. It cannot be simply labeled as a response to the Washington consensus as it is