This document discusses the shift from Keynesian economics to neoliberalism in urban politics and policy in the United States and Britain between 1976-2000. It argues that neoliberalism undermined cities' governing capacity and launched a new trajectory of political development that proceeded through two logics: neoliberalization by default through events like financial crises, and neoliberalization by design through targeted policy changes imposed by national elites. It provides examples of neoliberalization by design in London Docklands and neoliberalization by default through financial collapse and ideological shifts in Philadelphia.

1. Neoliberalism in the Trenches: Urban
Politics and Policy in the United States and
Britain, 1976-2000
Tim Weaver
Political Science

2. From the age of consensus…
Nixon: “I am now a Keynesian on economics” (1971)

3. …to the Age of Fracture
Callaghan: “We used to think that you could spend your
way out of a recession…by cutting taxes and boosting
government spending. I tell you in all candour that that
option no longer exists” (1976)

4. Argument
The neoliberal turn:
 radically undermined cities’ governing capacity and
authority;
 launched a new trajectory of neoliberal political
development;
 proceeded according to two different logics--
neoliberalization by default and by design

5. Neoliberalism defined
A political-economic theory and rhetorical framework that
rests on the notion that freedom, justice, and well-being are
best guaranteed by a political economic system that
promotes private property, open markets, and free trade and
which privileges the interests of financial capital.
 Capital privileged over labor; private over public; market
over welfare state.
 Enterprise zones; empowerment zones; privatization etc.

6. London Docklands: Neoliberalism
by Design

7. Docklands
Neoliberalism by design:
• Process by which national or local elites harness the power
of state institutions to impose a neoliberal blueprint.
• Flagship enterprise zone—tax reduction and deregulation.
• Site of the London Docklands Development Corporation—
land and power stripped from local authorities and given to
unelected board.
• Central government as neoliberal activist; the state is
reoriented rather than replaced.

8. Philadelphia transformed
1950 2007

9. Philadelphia
Neoliberalism by default
• Logic of coalition building, financial collapse, and/or
ideological constriction propels neoliberalization.
• Coalition building: business-African American anti-Rizzo
alliance.
• Early 1990s financial collapse: creation of PICA that
required “structural adjustment.”
• Ideological constriction under Rendell: attacks on unions,
privatization, TINA.

10. Occupy London/Occupy Philly