The early 80s were the time when neoliberal economic theory was emerging. Pen Fun Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 Keynesian economics, which became popular in the 30s, helped Western countries get out of the haze of the 29-33 crisis before World War II, and became the most important governing theory guide in Western countries after the war, creating economic brilliance in the 50s and 60s. After entering the 70s, the massive government intervention advocated by Keynesian economics gradually caused some bad results, and there was a serious stagflation in Western countries, forcing economists to begin to reflect on the destruction of the normal economic order by deficit finance and inflation, and neoliberal theory came into being.

The neoliberal economic proposition, simply put, is that the government should not intervene in the economy, but should give full play to the regulating role of the market and stimulate the vitality of market players. In terms of specific policies, this includes privatization, encouraging free trade, and eliminating deficit finances. In this respect, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is a banner, and her drastic cuts in social welfare and the sale of large numbers of state-owned enterprises to private individuals fully embody the demands of neoliberalism.

Margaret Thatcher's reforms did bring some promising results in the early days, but Feng Xiaochen knew that the negative effects of such reforms would be felt in a few years. Instead of rejuvenating the privatized state-owned enterprises (SOEs), as economists had predicted, they were declining because they had lost the protection of the state, and eventually the entire country was uncompetitive.

Neoliberal theories are not confined to one Britain. South America was also seen as a successful example of neoliberal theory during that period, and with the encouragement of a large number of Nobel laureates in economics, South American countries deregulated and allowed foreign capital to buy domestic industries and foreign goods to hit the domestic market. In the beginning, South America was a thriving scene due to the influx of large amounts of foreign capital, becoming a bright spot for the global economy. But the ensuing financial turmoil suddenly knocked South America back to its prototype. By the time Feng Xiaochen crossed over, "Latin Americanization" had become a curse, and to say that any country was "Latin American" basically meant that people's economies were about to collapse.

Not to mention Russia's experience a few years later when neoliberal ideology guided the next step towards the abyss of death. Later generations of economists, when talking about Gaidar and other neoliberal believers, would say in unison: We don't know him!

However, all of these things will take years to happen. Today, neoliberalism remains a cosmic truth that economists around the world believe in. Chinese economists, out of political concerns, do not openly support this theory, but privately they agree with it. Qi Ruicang is a straightforward person, he speaks unabashedly, and in front of his classmates, he naturally said this kind of thought. Hearing Feng Xiaochen questioning the theory of neoliberalism, he was very disdainful in his heart, so he released a wild word that he wanted to bet with Feng Xiaochen.

"Bet, how do you bet?"

Hearing Qi Ruicang's words, Feng Xiaochen asked with interest.

"You can bet on anything, for example, a meal. Qi Ruicang said.

Feng Xiaochen shook his head and said, "I'm not asking about bets, I'm asking what you want to bet on?"

"It's just a bet on what you just said, didn't you say that Margaret Thatcher's reforms won't end well, I'll bet you on this. Qi Ruicang said.

Feng Xiaochen said: "How do you evaluate whether the results are good or not? In the foreseeable future, the British economy will certainly not collapse, after all, a skinny camel is bigger than a horse, and it may not be easy to see the British economy collapse within 30 years." When I say that Margaret Thatcher's reforms are not working, I mean that they will not give Britain the opportunity to grow, and that Britain will stagnate and lose its international competitiveness in the future. ”

"Stagnant?" Qi Ruicang sneered, "Xiao Feng, you don't still believe in the saying that imperialism is dying, do you? You say that Britain will come to a standstill in the future, and I can bet with you that in the next 20 years, the gap between Britain and China will widen as long as it gets bigger and bigger, do you believe it or not?"

20 years? Feng Xiaochen thought about it in his heart. It's 1984, and 20 years later it's 2004, when China's GDP has left Britain behind, and if the gap is getting wider and wider, it's China opening up the gap with the UK, not the other way around.

"I answered this bet. Feng Xiaochen said with a smile, using the golden finger to bully people is really a bit of a victory. However, a 20-year gambling contract, that is to say, is it just that, will Feng Xiaochen really take this gambling contract to ask Qi Ruicang to invite him to dinner after 20 years?

Everyone present obviously also thought about what such a time span of 20 years meant, and everyone regarded Qi Ruicang's bet with Feng Xiaochen as a cold joke.

Qi Ruicang's attitude towards the pursuit of neoliberal economic theory varies. Xie Keli admires Western theories in his heart, but he will not say it, because he feels that such words are inconsistent with policy, and saying it publicly may affect his future prospects. Ding Shikuan's psychology is somewhat contradictory, he grew up studying socialist economic theory, and he is a little unable to adapt to the sudden switch to accept Western economic theory. On the other hand, however, he admits that there is some truth in Western economic theories, which he cannot refute, and he is unwilling to criticize such theories with a clear conscience in order to show his political aspirations.

Wang Zhenbin and Yu Rui, one is a college student in the 60s, and the other is a worker, peasant and soldier college student in the 70s. As cadres who have worked in the agency for many years, they will instinctively warn themselves to stay away from Western doctrines so as not to commit ****. If any higher-level leaders said that this theory was good at this time, they would naturally change around immediately, and then stand in the same trench as Qi Ruicang.

Regardless of what everyone thinks of neoliberal theory, they can at least agree on one thing, that is, Qi Ruicang is more knowledgeable than Feng Xiaochen in any case. Feng Xiaochen himself said that he only has a junior high school education, and it is estimated that he has not even heard of the names Keynes and Samuelson. He made a bet with Qi Ruicang, I am afraid that it is the civil science that is challenging the academician, or that Don Quixote is challenging the windmill.

"Okay, Lao Qi and Xiao Feng's bet, we are all witnesses. In 20 years, no matter who wins or loses, we will all have a drink. After talking about the theory for a long time, it's boring enough, let me have a realistic question, Lao Wang, second sister, you are both directors of large units, can you find some opportunities for a few young people to make money, just relying on the salary of graduate students, it is difficult for us to come out and have a drink. ”

Ding Shikuan laughed and pulled away the conversation. The second sister he said naturally refers to Yu Rui, according to the number of years, Yu Rui happens to be the second in the class, and it is very appropriate for everyone to call her the second sister.

"Yes, yes, although the salary of graduate students is paid according to the government agencies, but this is more than 40 yuan a month, which is really not enough to spend, and the price of goods is rising so fast now. Lao Wang, second sister, you are all in the ministry, it shouldn't be difficult for everyone to find some opportunities to make extra money, right?" Xie Keli also agreed.

In his original unit, he had already talked to a partner, and it was estimated that he should get married while he was in graduate school. Nowadays, the standard of young people's marriage is getting higher and higher, making furniture and buying electrical appliances requires at least five or six thousand yuan, and the cost of holding a wedding is more than 1,000 yuan. The identity of a graduate student is very glamorous, but a penny is difficult to beat a hero, and it is useless to say anything without money.

Wang Zhenbin groaned and said: "There are opportunities to make money, but you can find some in the ministries and commissions." Sometimes we need to translate some foreign materials, and sometimes we need to ask someone to help write some materials, and we can also pay for labor services. The one-time cost will not be too much, ten or twenty yuan, that is, it is better than nothing. In the past, when I was the director, I was able to have the final say in my own affairs, and it was easy to arrange opportunities for everyone at that time.

Now that I have taken a leave of absence to study, and the work has been handed over to other comrades, I have to ask if I want to find such an opportunity. However, Xiao Ding and Xiao Xie, since you have brought it up, I will definitely keep it in mind. You have to explain in advance that the chances may not be too good, and you should be mentally prepared for this. ”

Yu Rui also said: "The situation of our Commission is more complicated, and some of the work is more sensitive, so it is not convenient to ask people from outside to help. However, when I was in the Reform Commission, I also had work contacts with some other units, and when the time comes, I will pay attention to it, and if there is something that can be done to help my classmates, I will find a way to take it over. It is not easy to make a lot of money from these things, and the money for eating, drinking, and drinking should still be able to be earned. ”

"That's so much thanks to Lao Wang and the second sister. Ding Shikuan said happily. He is not yet under pressure to get married, but his family is rural, and his parents and brothers need him to subsidize it, so it is best to be able to earn some extra money. He picked up his wine glass, and was about to salute Wang Zhenbin and Yu Rui, when the corner of his eye swept to Feng Xiaochen, and suddenly felt that what he had just said was a little flawed. Feng Xiaochen also came from the ministry, and he also had the title of deputy director, and he patronized Wang Zhenbin and Yu Rui for help, but ignored Feng Xiaochen, which was inevitably a little inappropriate, so he quickly changed his words:

"Uh, by the way, and Xiao Feng, you also work in ministries and commissions, there must be some such opportunities, right? ”