I have been challenged to say why I have problems with what is known as the Washington Consensus. As it happens to suit my own work programme to record such concerns at this moment I’ve done so in table form below, taking each of the ten broad sets of recommendations that John Williamson identified as constituting the Washington Consensus in 1989 as the basis for discussion. In doing so I stress this is a quick review. It could be, and probably should be finessed. But it answers questions for now.
| What the Washington consensus recommended | What this has meant in practice | The problems that have arisen | Can the recommendation be endorsed? |
| Fiscal policy discipline | ¬? Demands made to cut the size of the state
¬? Demand made that the books be balanced at all costs ¬? The demands of bankers who will otherwise threaten to destabilise the currency are adhered to at all times |
¬? The belief that the state can’t deliver — when there is no evidence to support the case
¬? The state treated as if it were a PLC — a public limited company ¬? The state is required to run its finances on the same basis as a company — which is pro-cyclical behavior ¬? The ruinous rise of the power of the ratings agencies |
No, not on these terms.
Of course fiscal discipline is important — but within the Keynesian understanding of the economic cycle. |
| Redirection of public spending from subsidies ("especially indiscriminate subsidies") toward broad-based provision of key pro-growth, pro-poor services like primary education, primary health care and infrastructure investment | ¬? The ban on subsidies for local business has been disastrous for developing countries in the face of EU and US competition when those states subsidise most. They have therefore used the Consensus to put their own business at a competitive disadvantage
¬? State action need not be just pro-poor. It can also be wealth enhancing but this has been ignored or derided ¬? If subsidy removal means reduction of the welfare safety net the cost to society is high — and unquantified in the model, except by the spread of fear of unemployment and poverty |
¬? Growth of attacks on the welfare state
¬? Increasing wealth disparity as those with least are denied support ¬? The loss of fledgling enterprises and local business that need support in the face of subsidized international competition emanating from those states that promote the consensus ¬? Steady withdrawal of the social safety net needed to provide security for those who live in any society ¬? Increases in ill health as a result of increased anxiety |
No, not on these terms.
This concept of subsidy ignores the reality of externalities and as such does not make economic sense. |
| Tax reform — broadening the tax base and adopting moderate marginal tax rates | ¬? Switches from direct to indirect taxes
¬? Reduced tax rates for the wealthiest ¬? Tax allowances maintained for the wealthiest but broadened tax base on those on middle income (“stealth taxes”) ¬? Arguments presented that corporations don’t pay tax and so seek to switch the tax base from capital to labour ¬? Removal of tariffs |
¬? Increasingly regressive tax systems
¬? Reduced taxes on capital ¬? Reduced share of tax paid by the wealthiest ¬? Increase in tax paid by those on middle income ¬? Increased wealth gaps reflecting increased inequality in society ¬? Destruction of tariff revenues of developing countries — often the only effective tax base they have ¬? Reducing proportionate tax yields on profits |
No, not on these terms
Developing countries need tax systems that suit their own needs. Tax systems need to be progressive. This philosophy ignores these needs. |
| Interest rates that are market determined and positive (but moderate) in real terms | ¬? With fiscal policy already lost as a mechanism for economic management and interest rate policy passed over to markets the means for governments to manage economies on behalf of their citizens and electorates are foregone
¬? The rise of the power of the rating agency ¬? The fear of the City and Wall Street undermining all policy initiatives bar those that are market friendly by governments of any hue |
¬? The undermining of the power of government
¬? The undermining of democracy ¬? The undermining of the right of people to choose the type of state they wish to live in ¬? Power ceded to a tiny elite, who have successively abused it in their own self interest |
No, not on these terms
The state has to reclaim the right to manage its own economy The power of the market has to be restrained The market only exists under the protection of the state. The state has therefore to limit the activity of the market so it does not harm the state that underpins it |
| Competitive exchange rates | ¬? The passing of control of exchange rates to markets
¬? Vulnerability to aggressive attack on a currency by speculators ¬? Loss of control of a key tool in eco9nomic management ¬? Undermining of sovereignty in the face of demands from hedge funds, bankers and speculators that their needs be placed ahead of the needs of whole populations for work, stability and long term prosperity |
¬? The enormous and destructive rise of socially useless and economically unjustifiable trading at the expense of the rest of society at large
¬? The 2008 crash ¬? The 1992 UK crash ¬? The 2009 Euro crisis |
No, not on these terms
These markets are out of control and destructive Regulation of foreign exchange dealing is essential now |
| Trade liberalization — liberalization of imports, with particular emphasis on elimination of quantitative restrictions (licensing, etc.); any trade protection to be provided by low and relatively uniform tariffs | ¬? This has been a wholly one sided process imposed on smaller states by the EU and USA who have maintained their own trade protection policies
¬? The liberalization there has been in the EU and elsewhere has been designed to undermine the rights of labour and wage rates ¬? Trade in intangibles has been used to undermine the tax base of countries whether developed or developing |
¬? The rise of offshore
¬? Developing countries have lost control of their natural resources for very limited return ¬? The rise of agro-business and genetic modification ¬? Patent abuse e.g. of naturally occurring commodities ¬? Loss of labour rights ¬? The rise of ‘offshoring’ to undermine labour ¬? Increased transfer mispricing abuse ¬? Resulting loss of tax revenues |
No, not on these terms
This is creation of an unlevel playing field and that is anti-competitive Of course markets need to operate to best effect — but that means the rights of differing cultures, traditions and legal systems are respected There are proper external restraints on markets that must operate in the interests of the broader understanding of human need |
| Liberalization of inward foreign direct investment; | ¬? Foreign control of critical assets within an economy leaving that economy too vulnerable to outside interests
¬? An indifference to local interests on the part of business ¬? A breakdown of corporate responsibility ¬? The rise of offshore as means to avoid tax, regulation, liability and responsibility within hoist communities ¬? An increase in tax abuse ¬? The rise of international PFI at cost to the taxpayer |
¬? The rise of offshore
¬? Developing countries have lost control of their natural resources for very limited return ¬? Increasing opacity within and between economies through the use of secret and secretive financial structures ¬? An inability to regulate in the public interest when, for example, national infrastructure is under foreign ownership ¬? Increased transfer mispricing abuse ¬? Resulting loss of tax revenues |
No, not on these terms
This is creation of an unlevel and opaque playing field and that is anti-competitive and which has in vey many cases resulted in the exploitation of assets secured at an undervalue for private gain contrary to the public interest |
| Privatization of state enterprises | ¬? Loss of control of vital resources and services e.g. water supply, power infrastructure, transport systems and more | ¬? Inability to regulate in the public interest
¬? Serious failure to deliver services in the public interest ¬? Increased cost — private fianc?© having a cost of capital up to 5% higher than the state — or reduced investment in necessary development ¬? Lack of integration in planning at cost to society as a whole |
No, not on these terms
Natural monopolies need to be under state ownership and control to ensure effective regulation and to prevent abuse |
| Deregulation — abolition of regulations that impede market entry or restrict competition, except for those justified on safety, environmental and consumer protection grounds, and prudent oversight of financial institutions | ¬? Loss of employee protection
¬? The rise of corporate irresponsibility ¬? The undermining of union rights ¬? Increasing wealth disparities as regulatory abuse is exploited for profit ¬? The breakdown of trust ¬? A failure to regulate |
¬? Falling proportion of income being paid to labour
¬? Increased returns to capital ¬? The banking crash of 2008 ¬? Enormous imposition of external costs on society at large to increase the returns to capital in the future ¬? An elite out of and beyond control |
No, not on these terms
The recession has proven how badly we need to regulate and how badly we have done it as a result of this philosophy |
| Legal security for property rights | ¬? Protection of capital over the rights of employees
¬? Treatment of the corporation as an entity with human rights ¬? The rise of the rights of offshore entities even though they have no substance ¬? The taxation of form, not substance, at substantial cost to Exchequers all over the world ¬? A rise in the number of corporations |
¬? A reduction in wage returns as capital has stronger rights
¬? A loss of free speech as security of wealth is protected via libel laws ¬? A lack of trust in society as property rights are put ahead of human rights ¬? The rise of individualism leading to break down in law and order |
No, not on these terms
The right to hold property is vital — but it has to be balanced by a duty to others This philosophy does not reflect that fact |
What is, I hope, very obvious is just how badly flawed the recommendations were and just how badly things have turned out.
There is good reason for this. The Washington Consensus is based on the, in itself inadequate micro-economic theory of the firm; a theory that was rather curiously created and promulgated by people who had no experience of working for or running such firms. That meant their theory of the firm was wrong. When applied to the state it became a recipe for disaster. As Keynes convincingly showed states do not behave like firms. To presume they do is to court failure, and failure has followed in the wake of these policies in developed and developing countries alike.
The Consensus was the creation of homo economicus. It should be buried along with him in the wake of 2008.
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Richard,
This is a little long on left-wing rant, and a little short on real-world research and evidence.
Supporters of the consensus have enough evidence in a 5-letter word to make their case: C-H-I-L-E
What do you say?
@Ted G
I really do think you have to do a little better than that
Pinochet is a pre-condition of the Consensus working. Is that your argument?
does no, not on these terms mean yes on other terms, for example if people did what the consensus recommended and not the things you list as having happened as a result of the consensus recommendations? I don’t know where to begin. which countries’ libel laws are driven by these economic principles? the english rules have been nuts for decades, the singaporean’s, too. what 2009 euro crisis? I do like your private fiance-with-an-accent – the dangers of spellcheck! The african and other countries that have done more of the left-hand column rather than less are richer, safer and freer than they would otherwise have been.
@ambrose murphy
My apologies for the odd typo. Shall we stick to substance?
And can you suggest where this ideal world is where the Washington Consensus could exist unabused?
What use has it got if it always has been abused?
Don’t outcomes influence your judgement?
@Richard Murphy
It is disingenuous reduce Chile’s economic success to its authoritarian regime. If it were so easy dictatorships on the left (Cuba, North Korea) and right (1960’s Spain, Myanmar) would be blowing smoke. Clearly, Pinochet’s government did something differently that promoted long-term success.
The question to you remains: any research and evidence to support your own views?
@Ted G
Did you notice the collapse in banking in 2008?
Or didn’t that happen in your world?
@Richard Murphy
Sorry, but what does this have to do with the Washington consensus in the context of development economics?
Or if the banking collapse is the basis for your opposition to the consensus, please help us by providing a credible and scientific explanation of the causal relationship between Washington and the banking crisis.
That would be very interesting. I am not sure that I should be holding my breath.
@Ted G
Oh good heavens above
If you really think the world is that compartmentalised that the ideas of the Washington Consensus only affected developing countries I despair
And as for your view of science may I refer you here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/26/opinion/26brooks.html
Economics achieved coherence as a science by amputating most of human nature. Now economists are starting with those parts of emotional life that they can count and model (the activities that make them economists). But once they’re in this terrain, they’ll surely find that the processes that make up the inner life are not amenable to the methodologies of social science. The moral and social yearnings of fully realized human beings are not reducible to universal laws and cannot be studied like physics.
Once this is accepted, economics would again become a subsection of history and moral philosophy. It will be a powerful language for analyzing certain sorts of activity. Economists will be able to describe how some people acted in some specific contexts. They will be able to draw out some suggestive lessons to keep in mind while thinking about other people and other contexts — just as historians, psychologists and novelists do.
At the end of Act V, economics will be realistic, but it will be an art, not a science.
And that’s written by a Republican!
Listen, digest and understand I suggest
Typos are no problem, of course. On the substance, this is a human and imperfect world – no set of human ideas except maybe the scuzziest – the khmer rouge, maybe, or North korea – ever get applied “unabused,” certainly not any economic doctrines. So the point is to identify the ones worth striving for, and the ones which in striving for, do the most good. I reckon this consensus is a pretty good set of such ideas. They’re trying to set out how best for under-developed, poor nations to get from where they are towards where the US or the EU (or canada etc) have long got to. Protectionism, cronyism, corruption, weak rule of law,and mad tax, spend and print money regimes cause suffering and increase poverty. liberalism – the consensus, here – tends to increase wealth and happiness. Chile is actually a good example, compared to its neighbors. A lot of Africa is, too. The great examples are the 1st world liberal democracies, and especially the EU, where the consensus principles are pretty much the driving force, and have made the EU far richer and freer than the individual countries could have been without the common market.
Outcomes influence judgement, but you need causation: can you separate the principle and its abuse? is the bad outcome more a result of the abuse, or is it inevitably the result of the principle (for example because the principle is counter to human nature and can never succeed). In this case, I think the principles win, and we have examples.
Most of your “column 2” examples are misapplications of the principles. Nothing in “Legal security for property rights” requires that a country give “Protection of capital over the rights of employees”, for example.
oh, and I’m with Ted: how on earth does the consensus cause the banking collapse? Don’t see it.
@ambrose murphy
The Washington Consensus reflected a broader consensus of neoliberal economics
That consensus engineered a massive transfer of wealth, income and
power away from the majority of the people to a small elite,
away from the country to the City
If you can’t see that I despair
And there would be no point in discussing it with the wilfully blind
Thankfully most can now see
Richard