|
|
|
|
|
neo-liberalism
|
|
|
Adam Smith came to be known as the modern father of economics with the writing of the Wealth of Nations or also know as An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Threw this work the dominant image of Adam Smith is as an advocate of unhampered self-interest, an opponent of government, and an icon of individualism, rugged or not. Such distorted interpretations as a result of reading him through a retrospective ideological lense transform Smith into a proto-libertarian, an avatar of “lassiez-faire”. The ideology of Neo-Liberalism places emphases on corporate rites, laissez-faire economics, little government, and globalization (corporate globalization) through the elimination of time and space. Neo-liberalism claims to justify these characteristics in the works of the classical Liberal theorist Adam Smith. In this essay the argument will find that neo-liberalism falsely builds itself foundations on the theories and believes of Scottish Enlightenment philosopher Adam Smith to legitimize its morality and legitimacy of Neo-liberalism. Neo-liberalism advocates the free flow of the market unhindered by damaging government policies. Smith does agree on the fact that most governments are incompetent and corrupted having negative affects on the market and the greater good of society as a whole. In Smith's view mercantilism represented the successful attempts of rapacious and monopolizing merchants to exploit the machinery of government for their own purposes. Smith goes on to say that mercantilism was a collection of government measures that made it possible for businessmen to achieve their own selfish goals without at the same time advancing the public interest. As a result of the dispensation of monopoly grants, of the arbitrary bestowal of "extraordinary privileges" the individual merchant was provided with innumerable opportunities to enrich him self without enriching the nation. How ever, Smith believed that the pretenses that corporations are necessary for the better government of trade is without foundations. Smith believed that corporations did not fit into the “natural justice” of the economic market. Smith would have the contempt for modern day corporatism found in neo-liberalism, he could find the organization of such disciplines as Doctors as a social benefit, but as for the vertical and horizontal integrations and operations of Transnational Corporations were unacceptable. Where powerful corporations gain through the intervention or lack there of policies given more power and privileges to the corporations. Transnational Corporations in present day gain privileges from the government organizing industries becoming semi-independent and self-governing “estates” for their own selfish interest at the loss of society. Smith was very clear in his writings of his mistrust in the new emerging class he states that, " Man has a strong propensity to monopolize, to connive with others to enhance his own income. "People of the same trade" Smith cautions his readers, "seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices." Smith believes that merchants or capitalist in modern society are conspiring together in cooperation instead of competition to drain the nation of wealth.
|
|
|
|
Still Can't Find What Your Looking For? Then Try a Essay Search!
|
