Transnational community and discourse coalitions: Comparative analysis of neoliberal networks of intellectuals and think tanks

The project aims at deeping the analysis of the world wide influence of neoliberal networks of intellectuals and think tanks through focusing on specific issue areas (e.g. development and environmental policies). The ongoing evolution of neoliberal social forces is reconstructed historically in diverse spheres including science, media, politics and consulting. Particular attention is paid to the financing of the various activities by corporations, associations and foundations. Methodologically the historical social network analysis of the Mont Pèlerin Society and associated think tank networks is at the centre of the research. Theoretical concepts are developed to further an actor centred analysis of the relationship of knowledge and power in globalization processes. Following past work on understanding complex actor relationships as comprehensive discourse communities and thought collectives, the forging of transnational discourse coalitions has become the main focus of the analysis.

Selected Publications

Plehwe, Dieter (2011): "Transnational Discourse Coalitions and Monetary Policy. Argentina and the Limited Powers of the 'Washington Consensus'". In: Critical Policy Studies, Vol. 5, No. 2, S. 127-148.

Plehwe, Dieter (2010): "The Making of a Comprehensive Transnational Discourse Community". In: Marie-Laure Djelic/Sigrid Quack (Eds.): Transnational Communities. Shaping Global Economic Governance. Cambridge u.a.: Cambridge University Press, S. 305-326.

Mirowski, Philip/Plehwe, Dieter (Eds.) (2009): The Road from Mont Pèlerin. The Making of the Neoliberal Thought Collective. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, VI, 469 S.

Plehwe, Dieter/Walther, Katja (2008): "Im Schatten von Hayek und Friedman. Die Vielflieger im Kreise der Mont Pèlerin Society - Quantitative Analyse als Explorationsinstrument der historisch-sozialen Netzwerkforschung". In: Akademische Verlagsanstalt (Hg.): Transnationale Netzwerke im 20. Jahrhundert/Transnational Networks in the 20th Century. Historische Erkundungen zu Ideen und Praktiken, Individuen und Organisationen/Ideas and Practices, Individuals and Organizations. ITH-Tagungsberichte, Bd. 42. Leipzig: Akademische Verlagsanstalt, S. 235-264.

Plehwe, Dieter (2009): “The Making of a Comprehensive Discourse Community.” In: Djelic, Marie Laure and Sigrid Quack (eds.) Transnational Communities and the Regulation of Business. Cambridge University Press (im Erscheinen).

Miroswki, Phil und Plehwe Dieter (Hg.) (2009): The Road from Mont Pèlerin. The Making of the Neoliberal Thought Collective. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Plehwe Dieter (mit Katja Walther) (2008): „Im Schatten von Hayek und Friedman: Weitere Vielflieger im Kreise der Mont Pèlerin Society. Quantitative Analyse als Explorationsinstrument der historisch-sozialen Netzwerkforschung.“ In: Berthold Unfried u.a. (Hg.) , Transnationale Netzwerke. Beiträge zur Geschichte der Globalisierung, Wien.

Plehwe, Dieter, Bernhard Walpen und Gisela Neunhöffer (Hg.) (2006): Neoliberal Hegemony: A Global Critique. London: Routledge