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Neoliberalism, Inequality and Politics: The Changing Face of Australia
Author(s) -
Western Mark,
Baxter Janeen,
Pakulski Jan,
Tranter Bruce,
Western John,
Egmond Marcel,
Chesters Jenny,
Hosking Amanda,
O'Flaherty Martin,
Gellecum Yolanda
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
australian journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1839-4655
pISSN - 0157-6321
DOI - 10.1002/j.1839-4655.2007.tb00066.x
Subject(s) - neoliberalism (international relations) , politics , sociology , inequality , autonomy , liberalism , political economy , public policy , classical liberalism , affirmative action , government (linguistics) , political science , public administration , law , mathematical analysis , mathematics , linguistics , philosophy
Since the early 1980s Australian public policy has undergone the most major transformation since Federation. This transformation has been underwritten by two key principles: liberalism – the view that citizens are autonomous individual actors whose interests are best served when they are free from coercive government interventions into individual action; and marketisation – the belief that free markets are arenas which best enable individual autonomy and produce efficient economic outcomes. These principles define ‘neoliberalism’ or ‘hard liberalism‘. After summarising the major policy changes identified with neoliberalism in Australia, the paper introduces a new research project that examines its impact on socioeconomic inequality, gender inequality and politics and culture. Inspection of relevant data indicates that there are important trends in inequality, public opinion and political behaviour that warrant this investigation.