From Neoliberalism to Possible Alternatives

This article aims to show possible alternatives to neoliberalism. We think that a progressive solution to this last phase of capitalism has to have both a departure and an arrival point. The departure point is neoliberal capitalism: what it is now, what it has been during its per-formance in the last 40 years, and how neoliberals have seized power. The arrival point consists in the kind of development we want for our future and the means we use to achieve it. Currently, there are at least three possible progressive options to neoliberalism: (1) return to keynesianism, (2) return to real socialism, and (3) encourage new development experiences such as Mondragon, Kerala, and the so-called socialism of the 21st century. Our conclusions show that neoliberal economic and social performance has been poor but that any progressive alternative to neoliberalism must display economic superiority to neoliberalism and establish the means of how to achieve its goals.