Masters of the Universe

In Masters of the Universe, Daniel Stedman Jones explores the rise of neoliberal politics across the Atlantic, revealing how American and British policymakers came to embrace free markets, deregulation, and limited government. Through extensive archival research and interviews, the book traces neoliberalism's journey from interwar Europe to its dominance under Reagan and Thatcher, highlighting the influence of key figures like Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman. Jones argues that the neoliberal breakthrough was not an inevitable triumph of right-wing thought, but rather a response to the economic crises of the 1970s and a shift in political attitudes. This comprehensive history sheds light on the enduring impact of neoliberalism on contemporary politics and economics.