Rekan-rekan Referensiers Yth, Seru juga mengamati perang argumentasi di media tentang neoliberalism. Satu hal yang dapat diamati, argument dan counter argument kayaknya sama-sama terjebak retorika, pakai hantu-hantuan segala he he he.
Saya tidak ingin terjebak pada salah benar ideologi ekonomi dan politik yang dianut, mungkin bagus juga melihat apa sih ciri dari konsep, discource atau ideologi neoliberalisme itu. Memang diperlukan kejujuran kita untuk menjawabnya,jangan dulu bicara salah atau benar. Kalau bicara salah benar nanti kita kaji lagi sejarah perkembangan demokrasi dan kebijakan ekonomi di Cile di bawah Allende dan Pinochet. Discource neoliberalism banyak muncul pada era Pinochet yang membawa teknokrat dengan julukan "Chicago Boys".Dengan ciri-ciri yang saya posting berikut ini, saya harus berani mengatakan ciri-ciri neoliberalisme itu di Indonesia. Sekali lagi bukan soal salah benar...nggak usah dululah bicara apakh ciri-ciri tersebut sesuai dengan konstitusi kita, UUD 45. Salam prihatin atas debat neoliberalism yang tak jelas junstrungannya Nuzul Achjar CIRI-CIRI NEOLIBERALISME (sebagai ideologi, konsep, wacana, dsb) Sumber: Nef, Jorge and W. Robles (2000 ). Globalization, Neoliberalism, and the State of Underdevelopment in the New Periphery. *Journal of Development Studies 16(.1)* …………………………… Beyond this political and economic philosophy, the neoliberal package is best known for the simplicity of its formula. This recipe, which economic experts in bilateral and multilateral agencies actively encourage, contains six major interconnected policy recommendations. 1) *The first is re-establishing the rule of the market. *This means liberating private enterprise from the “artificial” bonds imposed by governments. It also involves greater openness to international trade and investment. In the labour front, wages are made competitive by de-unionizing workers and eliminating “artificial barriers” such as workers’ rights, minimum wages and the like. The elimination of price controls allows the market to . nd its own equilibrium. Last, but not least, currency controls, tariff barriers, and other impediments to free trade are phased out, and, if possible, eliminated. All in all, total freedom of movement for capital, goods, and services (but not labour) is to be attained. A central postulate in market sovereignty is that an unregulated market is the best way to increase economic growth, which will ultimately bene. t everyone: “supply-side” economics would produce “trickle-down.” 2) *The second prescription is reducing taxes*. Public revenues, especially direct taxation on income and wealth are to be drastically cut down. This is geared to increase disposable earnings among the well-to-do, resulting in a favorable investment climate. Conversely, taxation on consumption, or indirect taxation is boosted, especially in the form of value added or goods and services taxes (VATand GST). These policies are clearly set to benefit big business and are essentially anti-labour and anti-consumer. They also reduce the fisscal base of government. 3) *The third is reducing public expenditure. *Social disbursements , including welfare assistance, education, health care, unemployment insurance, and pensions are considered inimical to economic ef. ciency. The same goes for social safety nets and even the maintenance of physical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water supply, and other services. Whenever possible these activities are to be taken over by “revenue generating” private enterprises. Pro. tability, not service is the main criteria. 4) *The fourth recommendation is deregulating the private sector. *Government regulation of everything that could diminish private pro. ts is to be drastically reduced. In principle, deregulation is geared to enhancing competitiveness , eliminating red tape, bureaucratism, and corruption. As markets become the automatic comptrollers, greater ef. ciency is supposed to ensue. 5) *The . fth is the privatization of the public sector. *State-owned enterprises, as well as public-sector produced goods and services are to be sold to private investors. This includes banks, key industries, railroads, highways, energy, water and communications utilities, schools, hospitals, and even natural resources. The assumption here is that private enterprise, driven by pro. t-maximization, is inherently ef. cient, risk-taking and innovative. 6) *Finally is the elimination of the collectivist concept of the “public good.” *This is to be replaced with a view of the common good emphasizing “individual responsibility.” The subsidiary state has a minimal role to play in dealing with individual “failures.” Thus, those who are not able to fend for themselves are blamed for their own problems and left largely on their own to solve them.
