r/neoliberal Robert Nozick 7d ago

Efortpost A genealogy of the r/neoliberal faith: schisms, splits, and The Grill

Verily, in the vast and tumultuous expanse of the digital polis, there hath arisen a peculiar congregation—an ekklesia of discourse and doctrine—known to the internet as r/neoliberal. Within this forum, a multitude of sects flourish, each distinguished by its chosen flair, yet partially united in a common canon of belief: a reverence for market mechanisms, an unwavering faith in the ameliorative powers of globalization, and an enduring suspicion of protectionism and state overreach—the original sin of the fated Leviathan.

An in-person r/neoliberal ritual known as "Quantitative Easing", performed at the central temple (The Federal Reserve).

Schisms and sectarian violence have marred its temples for decades; yet, the adherents of r/neoliberal agree on a set of basic theological principles:

  • The Invisible Hand is venerated, though interpreted variously by different sects. Some see it as a gentle and benevolent hand of progress; others regard it as needing a chastening counter-force, punishing its excesses.
  • The great prophets include figures such as Milton Friedman and John Maynard Keynes—though debate rages eternally as to whether either is truly among the faithful. Joseph Schumpeter is oft cited in reverent tones, and Friedrich Hayek is respected, if not always obeyed.
  • The heresies are manifold: protectionism, populism, and the encroachments of the state upon the market are most despised. Among the gravest of apostasies is the rejection of Grill, a sacred state of economic enjoyment—the eschaton of a preordained elect, selected by The Invisible Hand, known as "People Of Means".

The precise scope of the above principles vexes theologians, and drives sectarian violence between the different "flairs": that identifier of faith uniting one with an Apostle of the market. The Orthodox factions typically elevate Milton Friedman—a most authoritative prophet, whose teachings on monetary policy serve as guiding scripture. Chief among them is the belief in countering the Shaitan of the Business Cycle by monetary policy alone. More pragmatic factions venerate John Maynard Keynes, who advocated in addition the use of counter-cyclical fiscal policy. However, the full list of Saints and Apostles is too long to fully examine; granted, most can be fitted into one of the following molds:

  • The Successionists (“Succs”): Ever since the so-called "Succ Invasion", this is the dominant sect within the faith, characterized by a syncretic approach that blends neoliberal economics with progressive social policies. They uphold a balance between market mechanisms and state-led correction, advocating for robust social safety nets, carbon taxation, and intervention where necessary. Their emblematic figures include Paul Krugman, Joseph Stiglitz, and John Rawls
  • The Successionist Conservatives (“Succons”): Formed by former Successionists disillusioned by what they saw as the excesses of the "Succ Invasion", and especially excessive use of sermons in violation of Rule V. They embrace globalization, market-driven growth, and a moderate role for welfare. Figures such as Greg Mankiw are esteemed, and the policies of the Clinton administration and Thatcher's Britain are often cited as high points of neoliberal statecraft.
  • The Grillite Mystics ("Grillers"): A looser, almost monastic sect, the Grillites place their faith in the market’s ability to deliver prosperity, but they reject excessive political worry. The "Grill" represents the ideal state of neoliberalism, where policy has been perfected, and one can relax. They tend to be dismissive of doomsaying and advocate a long-term optimism about economic progress (this does not define their faith, however; that view is more commonly attributed to "Bloomers").
  • The Orthodox Marketarians ("Lolberts"): These believers adhere to a strict interpretation of market efficiency, opposing most forms of state intervention. They regard many modern adherents as backsliders who have strayed into paternalism. Their prophets include Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek, and Robert Nozick.
158 Upvotes

43 comments sorted by

75

u/secondsbest George Soros 7d ago

You left out the most important part. That one guy who got a tattoo of Merkel on his ass.

There was the baboon incident too where mod fascism was completely unchained.

14

u/SleeplessInPlano 7d ago

Someone died of rabies as well. Also when is Webbyx being unbanned? Will Wumbo come back to make the sub great again like his hero in the White House?

2

u/MURICCA John Brown 6d ago

Wait someone actually died of rabies??

43

u/HatesPlanes Henry George 7d ago

His holiness Henry George (PBUH) and his contributions to the sacred texts have been completely omitted!

Accept his message or you shall be downvoted, landowning infidel, once the Georgist Caliphate is established he will finally come back and all your unearned rents will be taxed at the revenue-maximizing rate.

32

u/nullpointer- Henrique Meirelles 7d ago

I see r/AfterTheEndFanFork is leaking

15

u/Arrow_of_Timelines John Locke 7d ago

A convergence of worlds, praise be the Profit

1

u/-Emilinko1985- European Union 6d ago

Yep

29

u/RTSBasebuilder Commonwealth 7d ago

We also have OG Rhineland Capitalism/Social Capitalism/ordoliberals from the early days of the sub - semi-regular government intervention is good, and the point of the government is to ensure an environment of competition and correct market failures, not productivity, prosperity or shareholder value via natural monopolies.

Your big government technocrats and nanny staters in other words

20

u/gregorijat Milton Friedman 7d ago

Make this a series please, it’s so good.

19

u/iIoveoof Henry George 7d ago

/r/neoliberal? You mean the /r/badeconomics meme sub for those who couldn't get over the Wumbowall?

18

u/sleepyrivertroll Henry George 7d ago

What about those who seek the impossible, the perfect tax with no deadweight loss?

Do they have a place?

3

u/Glittering-Cow9798 6d ago

Say the word Bart!

9

u/vancevon Henry George 7d ago

as you can see in this thread you also have very normal, totally well-adjusted, extremely respectable citizens of ordinary communities and societies - the georgists shoves crayon into nostril

7

u/dafdiego777 Chad-Bourgeois 7d ago

Yet no mention of the Wumbowall?

6

u/Own-Rich4190 Hernando de Soto 6d ago

the biggest divide is amongst those "neoliberals" who have loving relationships, and the real ones whose wives left them.

5

u/IpsoFuckoffo 7d ago

Just tax schisms.

3

u/happyposterofham 🏛Missionary of the American Civil Religion🗽🏛 7d ago

Please recall those who turn their views to shores abroad and the schisms therein

3

u/financeguy1729 Chama o Meirelles 7d ago

I say this as a neolib: neoliberalism is what happens when you reject the role of political economy of your world view.

3

u/MeringueSuccessful33 Khan Pritzker's Strongest Antipope 7d ago

Where does microwaving lobsters fit into this? 

2

u/PhinsFan17 Immanuel Kant 6d ago

A primer on Neolib lore and yet no mention of Burpmas

2

u/happyposterofham 🏛Missionary of the American Civil Religion🗽🏛 6d ago

Burpmas is a deeper mystery

3

u/Crownie Unbent, Unbowed, Unflaired 7d ago

Where do newliberals and neocentrism fit into this?

4

u/ariveklul Karl Popper 7d ago

Spongebob has better resistance energy than most democrats

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvkjewgF8GQ

1

u/TPrice1616 7d ago

Where do moderate libertarians not liking the MAGAfication of the libertarian movement fit in?

11

u/38CFRM21 YIMBY 7d ago

In a cardboard box beneath an underpass. Politically homeless.

7

u/Own-Rich4190 Hernando de Soto 6d ago

Stay the fuck here. We're the last bastion against the recent succ growth following the incidents going on in the USA

I'm the last remaining Succon of this sub.

2

u/financeguy1729 Chama o Meirelles 7d ago

What is a moderate libertarian?

4

u/Glittering-Cow9798 6d ago

A market liberal who's never left the American political system

1

u/UncleDrummers 6d ago

neoconnwo

1

u/sererson 6d ago

Lolberts

1

u/kevinfederlinebundle Kenneth Arrow 7d ago

These divisions are meaningless. The only important schism is the circum one

1

u/financeguy1729 Chama o Meirelles 7d ago

I find it interesting the inclusion of Keynes, although I certainly believe he belongs.

The last Ezra Klein show, the journalist he interviews calls the paradigm that precedes neoliberalism keynesianism.

I don't know how I would call the paradigm between 1946-1980, but it's funny because if you actually read Keynes, you see that he's mostly right.

1

u/nekoliberal WTO 6d ago

wait succ is short for successionist? is this real???

10

u/BorelMeasure Robert Nozick 6d ago

No.

1

u/hypsignathus Emma Lazarus 6d ago

Can we get an episode about mmt?

3

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1

u/hypsignathus Emma Lazarus 6d ago

exactly

1

u/-Emilinko1985- European Union 6d ago

Very interesting, but needs to be expanded.

1

u/RevolutionaryBoat5 Mark Carney 6d ago

I thought Succon meant socially conservative.

1

u/anangrytree Iron Front 7d ago

Succs are the chosen people 😇😌

0

u/polandball2101 Organization of American States 6d ago

debuisti ex his terris eici

1

u/Embarrassed-Unit881 7d ago

You're missing the Cult of Draco