Strong State and the Free Economy

Werner Bonefeld is Professor of Politics at the University of York, UK.

• Dedication / Acknowledgments / 1. The Strong State and the Free Economy: German Ordoliberalism, Political Theology and European Democracy / 2. Free Economy as Political Practice. / 3. Democracy and Freedom: On Authoritarian Liberalism / 4. Economic Constitution and Social Order: On the Freedom of Complete Competition / 5. Social Policy: From the Class Society to the Enterprise Society / 6. European and the Idea of Subsidiarity: On the Elements of Ordoliberalism / 7. European Monetary Union: Economic Constitution and Ordnungspolitik / 8. Authoritarian Liberalism and the Euro: On the Political Theology of the Executive State / Bibliography / Index

The core paradox of Ordoliberalism is that an efficient and harmonious free market system requires a strong “market police” state imposing strict competitive rules while individuals become natural entrepreneurs— an 'artificial' order in contrast to the 'spontaneous' order of laissez faire. In this definitive study, Werner Bonefeld demonstrates an extensive knowledge of the literature and analyzes its key tensions, contradictions, and policy implications.