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Labouring under neoliberalism: The Australian Labor government’s ideological constraint, 2007–2013

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  • Tim Battin

Abstract

When viewed against its ostensibly successful management of the global economic crisis between 2008 and 2013, growing electoral disenchantment with the Australian Labor Party government during that time defied standard explanations and calls for further analysis. A major reason for the party’s electoral loss in 2013 was arguably popular disappointment with its eschewal of social democratic principles. Notwithstanding some progressive measures initiated between 2008 and 2013, successive Australian Labor Party governments were constrained by neoliberal strictures, even when they chose to implement progressive policies. Whatever other reasons exist for its decline in popularity between 2007 and 2013, the Australian Labor Party’s unwillingness or inability to mark out a clear alternative to neoliberalism was fundamental. In making this case, this article uses the conceptual framework of ‘depoliticisation’, defined as the displacement of policy decisions from the sphere of democratic accountability and public debate, making them matters for regulation by technocratic experts operating according to supposed edicts of the market. JEL codes: A14, B59

Suggested Citation

  • Tim Battin, 2017. "Labouring under neoliberalism: The Australian Labor government’s ideological constraint, 2007–2013," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 28(1), pages 146-163, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecolab:v:28:y:2017:i:1:p:146-163
    DOI: 10.1177/1035304616687951
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Palley,Thomas I., 2013. "From Financial Crisis to Stagnation," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781107612464.
    2. Ian Hampson, 2012. "Industry Policy under Economic Liberalism: Policy Development in the Prime Minister's Manufacturing Task Force," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 23(4), pages 39-56, November.
    3. Blyth, Mark, 2013. "Austerity: The History of a Dangerous Idea," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199828302.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Depoliticisation; Keynesian political economy; neoliberalism; social democracy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A14 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Sociology of Economics
    • B59 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Other

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