Propelled by economists such as Milton Friedman, the so-called ‘free market’, including an allegedly inevitable flavor of neoliberal globalization, became unquestionable in too many elite circles.

‘Big Government’ was the enemy and daring to question neoliberal globalization was utter heresy.

Of course, ‘free market globalization’s’ biggest proponents could not shut the mouth of one infamous madman: Reality.

The reality of the 2008 financial crisis exposed the radical ‘free-market’ ideology as both fragile and evitable.   

With the onset of Covid-19, we witnessed even the most enthusiastic right-wing politicians around the world smiling and hugging ‘Big Government’, while rushing to open up its pockets to avert total economic collapse.

‘Big Government’ seemed to be back in the west.

Former US Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich, was correct when he stated that, “the stars are now better aligned for fundamental reform than they’ve been since Reagan.” (See Reich’s article in this month’s issue for more.)

The pandemic had revealed deep injustices in America and other western democracies, including in my home country of Canada. Serious systemic change was called for, though the question of whether deep injustices would finally be addressed remained.     

Stay safe,