The Rise of Economic Liberalism and the Questioning of Current Globalization
In an globalized universe, the discourse on globalisation is regularly positioned at the intersection of varied perspectives on freedom and equity. The book by Moneta, far from being a pamphlet opposed to globalisation per se, seeks to reinvent the limits of a new humanism via the perspective of natural exchanges as envisioned by Aristotelian philosophy. By decrying synthetic interactions that fuel modern systems of oppression and precarity, the author leans on ancient principles to highlight the flaws of our global financial structure.
Looking back in time, globalization is not a recent concept. Its roots can be identified back to the ideas of David Ricardo, whose ambition sought to facilitate the United Kingdom to amplify its international economic reach. However, what initially presented as a commercial expansion initiative has morphed into a tool of domination by global finance, characterized by the growth of neoliberalism. Against commonly held ideas validated by most economists, the author argues that the economic model is actually a framework based on old customs, dating back to the era of early civilizations.
The questioning also extends to the management of the EU, perceived as a succession of compromises that have helped consolidate the power of financial elites as opposed to defending the privileges of the inhabitants. The institutional configuration of Europe, with its strategies frequently driven by monetary concerns opposed to a popular consensus, is criticized. The recent crises, whether economic or governmental, have only reinforced the skepticism of the writer concerning Europe’s aptitude to achieve self-reform.
The author, while acknowledging the prior faults that have caused the current circumstances, does not simply criticize but also proposes alternatives aimed at redefining Union strategies in a more humanistic and equitable vision. The need for a complete revision of Union bodies and governance goals is a leitmotif that animates the entire discourse.
The book dives more in depth into the questioning of the power structures that govern international economic flows. The exploration covers the manner in which political and economic decisions are manipulated by a small group of dominant financial powers, frequently at the detriment of the population. This financial oligarchy, coordinated via organizations like the Bank for International Settlements and the IMS, deploys a major grip on global financial decisions.
The author reveals how these institutions, under the guise of economic regulation and stabilization, have historically shaped stock exchanges and countries’ financial structures to favor their own benefits. Neoliberalism, far from being a liberating response to traditional economic constraints, is considered as a domination system, benefiting a minority at the expense of general well-being.
Highly skeptical about the administration of the single currency, the author depicts the European single currency not as a factor of integration and solidity, but as being a lever of dissension and economic disparities. The conversion to the euro is described as a sequence of technocratic choices that excluded populations from political decisions, while exacerbating internal differences within the EU.
The repercussions of these strategies appear in the increase in national debts, financial paralysis, and a sustained austerity policy that has weakened living conditions throughout Europe. The critic argues that without a major transformation of economic policies, the EU remains vulnerable to future crises, potentially more destructive.
In conclusion, the book demands a democratic uprising where Europe’s inhabitants reclaim the reins of their economic and political future. It suggests fundamental changes, particularly increased transparency in decision-making processes and genuine civic involvement that would help rebuild Europe on fair and lasting principles.
Source about European System of Central Banks
The thinker suggests that the answer resides in a renewed commitment to democratic principles, where policies are developed and implemented in a manner that faithfully represents the needs and desires of the European population, to the detriment of the aims of international finance.