Abstract
Background
Neoliberalism continues to be perceived as a dominant set of ideas about economic and social change. Although references to neoliberal ideas are widespread in many different fields, there have been few attempts to analyse countervailing tendencies and signs of neoliberal retreat. Moreover, the word ‘neoliberalism’ is often used inaccurately, making it difficult to assess its actual influence.
Purpose
This study analyses aspects of two significant international agreements from 2015, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in an attempt to assess the neoliberal influence on current international norm‐setting. It also seeks to identify the central characteristics of neoliberalism and its changing ideas.
Approach and methods
In this paper, major issues concerning these two agreements are linked to the characteristics of neoliberalism in order to establish their compatibility. Moreover, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda is compared with earlier agreements on financing for development, and the process of establishing a separate goal for reducing inequality in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is analysed.
Findings
The study shows that neoliberal ideas are significantly challenged by central elements of the two agreements, even when taking into consideration the fact that neoliberalism is not static but a changing set of ideas. While neoliberal thinking still influences policies and practices in many different contexts, its setback in international cooperation should call for careful analysis when it is used to explain social change.
Conclusions
The implication is that neoliberal influences on issues of international norm‐setting may be decreasing. Though international norms do not necessarily lead to changing practices in countries, elements of the two international agreements point decisively in new directions and towards reducing the ideational influence of neoliberalism. Thus, other ideas and norms stand a better chance to influence both international norm‐setting and policies around the world.