Abstract

Over the past decades, neoliberalism has demonstrated a remarkable capacity for adaptation, embedding itself within diverse political and institutional contexts. From authoritarian regimes that deploy market logics without democratic accountability, to plutocratic arrangements that consolidate elite power, and to so-called “progressive” variants that combine technocratic governance with inclusive rhetoric, neoliberalism continues to transform rather than disappear. This open panel invites paper contributions that critically examine the multiple forms and trajectories of neoliberalism across different regions and political systems.

The panel seeks to explore neoliberalism as a political, economic, and social project, rather than solely as an economic doctrine. We welcome papers that analyze how neoliberal rationalities are adopted, reconfigured, or contested within specific national and regional contexts, with particular attention to Central Eurasia and Kazakhstan. Contributions may engage with empirical case studies, comparative analyses, or theoretical reflections. Submissions may address one or more of the following interrelated dimensions. First, the political dimension: how neoliberal ideas and practices are embedded within authoritarian, hybrid, or formally democratic regimes, and how they reshape state power, governance, and political accountability. Second, the economic dimension: the contemporary manifestations of neoliberalism at both macro- and micro-levels, including deregulation, financialization, new state-market configurations, and emerging forms of accumulation and dependency. Third, the social dimension: the impact of neoliberal reforms on welfare regimes, labor relations, education, health systems, social cohesion, and cultural narratives surrounding responsibility, merit, and inclusion. The panel particularly encourages papers that examine intersections between neoliberalism and class, gender, ethnicity, and labour, as well as contributions that explore resistance, alternatives, and post-neoliberal imaginaries. We also welcome analyses of the role played by international institutions, global financial actors, and development paradigms in shaping neoliberal trajectories. By inviting a diverse set of paper contributions, this panel aims to foster a critical and interdisciplinary discussion on the evolving varieties of neoliberalism and their enduring political, economic, and social consequences.