“The Politics of Free Markets makes a substantial, original, and controversial contribution to discussions of neoliberalism, taxation, and welfare policies. It displays the strengths of institutional analysis, but more so than most of its companions in that field it clarifies how political institutions offer opportunities and threats to political entrepreneurs. By incorporating U.S. experience into a tight comparison, furthermore, it strikes multiple blows against American exceptionalism. The book should stir a vigorous debate among scholars and policy advocates.”--Charles Tilly, Columbia University
— Charles Tilly, Charles Tilly
“Monica Prasad’s book is a model of rigorous comparative historical analysis. By systematic examination of several policy arenas in four major democracies, she uncovers the bewildering varieties of neoliberalism. Prasad’s analysis destroys facile single-variable accounts, emphasizing the complex interaction of history, structure, and opportunistic action that made the current neoliberal world. Massively documented and carefully theorized, Prasad’s book engages the most fundamental issues of modern political economy, from taxation to industrial governance and welfare provision, as well as the processes and institutions of democratic governance itself. Often controversial and always interesting, it is must reading for anyone interested in the political economy of our time.”
— Andrew Abbott, Andrew Abbott
"A significant and powerful contribution to an ever-more sophisticated comparative political economy literature. It combines rich empirical detail with sophisticated analysis, skilfully and persuasively illustrating the flaws in some of the alternative accounts."
— David Bailey, Political Studies Review