NEOLIBERALISM: THE MYTH OF THE FREE MARKET OR THE DOMINANT PARADIGM OF CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59864/sam110102IMKeywords:
neoliberalism, globalization, social inequalities, welfare state, social paradigmAbstract
Neoliberalism represents one of the most influential economic and social concepts of the contemporary era, whose impact extends far beyond the sphere of economic policy. The subject of this paper is the analysis of neoliberalism as an economic doctrine, ideology, and social paradigm, with particular emphasis on its historical development, fundamental principles, and consequences for contemporary society. The aim of the paper is to critically examine the role of neoliberalism in shaping the relationship between the state, the market, and the individual, as well as its impact on social inequalities, the labor market, and the welfare state. The study applies the method of content analysis and a critical review of relevant scientific literature indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The findings indicate that neoliberalism has contributed to the processes of globalization and economic integration, but also to the growth of economic stratification, capital concentration, precarious labor, and social insecurity. It is concluded that neoliberalism is not merely an economic model but a complex social project that continues to significantly shape contemporary economic, political, and social relations.
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