Neoliberals believe that free markets, open borders, and international cooperation create prosperity and peace better than any alternative. They champion the post-World War II liberal order: free trade agreements, institutions like the WTO and NATO, immigration that enriches receiving countries, and evidence-based policy that lets data rather than ideology guide decisions.
The term "neoliberal" is used pejoratively by critics on both left and right, but a community has embraced it positively—particularly online through forums like the Neoliberal subreddit and podcast. They see themselves as defending successful policies against populist attacks from Trump-style nationalism and Bernie-style socialism alike.
Core to neoliberalism is faith in markets—not laissez-faire fundamentalism, but recognition that voluntary exchange and price signals coordinate economic activity more effectively than central direction. Markets have failures that require correction (externalities, public goods, information asymmetries), but the baseline should be market allocation with targeted intervention.
On social issues, neoliberals are broadly progressive: supportive of LGBTQ+ rights, racial equality, and cosmopolitan diversity. They see social liberalism as complement to economic liberalism—both expand human freedom and flourishing. But they're uncomfortable with progressive economic positions they view as poorly designed or counterproductive.
At roughly 3.5% of the population, Neoliberals are concentrated among educated professionals, economists, and the bipartisan policy establishment. They're influential in think tanks, economics departments, and center-left/center-right parties worldwide. Critics see them as defenders of a failing status quo; supporters see them as evidence-driven pragmatists in an age of populist fantasy.