Neoliberalism vs. Ordoliberalism

“My notion of democracy is that under it the weakest should have the same opportunity as the strongest.”- Mahatma Gandhi. In this paper, I will show the differences between two types of liberal thought, Neoliberalism and Ordoliberalism, that have attempted to achieve Gandhi’s notion. Merriam-Webster defines Neo-liberalism as “a liberal who de-emphasizes traditional liberal doctrines in order to seek progress by more pragmatic methods.” Liberalism can refer to any social, economic, or even …

…order and individual liberty. Individual political freedom was to be safeguarded by ensuring a liberal market order. A precondition to a functioning market order was the protection of key individual rights: rights to property, right to trade, liberty of contract, rules governing liability, etc. Ordoliberals arrived at a conclusion that the market structure is no longer suitable for perfect competition. If it is left alone, competition will destroy its own basics and consequently destroy itself.