Picture this: it's the late 1970s, and a new economic vision takes hold in the US and UK. Neoliberalism promises less government meddling, more market magic, open borders, and prosperity for all. Gary Gerstle, a sharp-eyed historian, pulls back the curtain on how this worldview gripped both conservatives and liberals for nearly 50 years in The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order. It's not just dry history—it's the backstory to everything from income gaps to populist revolts.
Neoliberalism wasn't some villainous plot; it fused personal freedoms with deregulation, globalization with cosmopolitan vibes. Gerstle shows how it filled the void left by the crumbling Soviet Union, spreading worldwide. Think Reagan and Thatcher championing free markets, Clinton and Blair tweaking it leftward. For three decades, it shaped policies on trade, privatization, and beyond, delivering growth but also stark inequality.
Then came the cracks: Bush-era debacles like Iraq's failed rebuild and the 2008 crash exposed neoliberal limits. Enter Trump on the right, railing against elites and borders, and Bernie Sanders on the left, demanding fairness. Gerstle maps this shift with nuance, explaining why 'neoliberal' became a curse word and what fragments linger today.
Unlike knee-jerk critiques, Gerstle reckons with neoliberalism's genuine appeal—its optimism, adaptability. You'll finish with a richer view of politics, spotting its echoes in headlines. Perfect for history buffs, policy wonks, or anyone puzzled by 2020s turbulence. Curl up with it on a rainy afternoon; by evening, you'll chat politics with newfound depth. At around 400 pages of crisp prose, it's dense but digestible, packed with stories from DC to developing nations. If you've debated inequality or trade wars, this clarifies the roots without preaching.
Grab The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order to navigate the ideological battles ahead. It's the thoughtful read that sparks real conversations—whether over coffee or at your next dinner party.
