IO Special Symposium on International Diffusion of Liberalism

Simmons, Beth, Frank Dobbin, Geoffrey Garrett, and Editors. "Symposium on Global Diffusion of Public Policies". Special issue of International Organization 60 (Fall) 2006.

36 Pages Posted: 28 Jun 2013

See all articles by Beth A. Simmons

Beth A. Simmons

University of Pennsylvania

Frank Dobbin

Harvard University - Department of Sociology

Geoffrey Garrett

Pacific Council on International Policy

Date Written: 2006

Abstract

The worldwide spread of economic and political liberalism was the defining feature of the late twentieth century. Free-market-oriented economic reforms -- macroeconomic stabilization, liberalization of foreign economic policies, privatization, and deregulation -- took root in many parts of the world. At more or less the same time, a "third wave" of democratization and liberal constitutionalism washed over much of the globe. Most economists believe the gains to developing countries from the liberalization of economic policies to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars. But they also acknowledge the instability and human insecurity sometimes left in liberalization’s wake. Political scientists argue that the rise of democracy has contributed to the betterment of both human rights and international security. While the precise effects of these twin waves of liberalization are still debated, it is hard to deny that they have had a tremendous impact on the contemporary world. But we are interested in a prior question: why has much of the world come to accept markets and democracy?

Suggested Citation

Simmons, Beth A. and Dobbin, Frank and Garrett, Geoffrey, IO Special Symposium on International Diffusion of Liberalism (2006). Simmons, Beth, Frank Dobbin, Geoffrey Garrett, and Editors. "Symposium on Global Diffusion of Public Policies". Special issue of International Organization 60 (Fall) 2006., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2286260

Beth A. Simmons

University of Pennsylvania ( email )

3501Sansom
Philadelphia, PA 19104
United States
7817990076 (Phone)

Frank Dobbin (Contact Author)

Harvard University - Department of Sociology ( email )

33 Kirkland Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Geoffrey Garrett

Pacific Council on International Policy ( email )

Los Angeles, CA
United States

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