A sense of where they were neoliberals and the Democratic Party in an Era of Challenges and political transformation, 1978-1989

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] This Thesis examines the development of neoliberal politics within the Democratic Party, concentrating on the period from 1978 to 1989. The thesis focuses on elite-level politics, examining neoliberal politics through the work of historical actors (politicians, commentators, policy analysts, and political operatives) who were either active members of or influential upon the Democratic Party. The introduction of this thesis sets out the parameters of the study, and reviews important topics and trends within historiographical literature relating to its subject. Chapter One examines the formulation of neoliberal political economy, including through an examination of political discourse around Japan and the Japanese economy. Chapter Two examines the relationship between neoliberal politics and the politics of race. The conclusion of this thesis indicates how neoliberal politics subsequently developed within the Democratic Party, assesses what thematical and topical areas were not examined in the thesis, makes suggestions as to how this subject could be developed in future projects, and draws together conclusions from the body of the thesis.