Exacerbating matters for the scholars and practical men in search of neoliberal identities was the emergence of many new nation-states that, in the process of decolonization, were eager to experiment with extensive state planning. Frequently, these states chose to model their industrial system on the Soviet pattern, though without subscribing to bolshevism. Many Western industrialized countries eager to secure allies against the Soviets regarded such (noncommunist) planning efforts with some sympathy. According to many Western experts, the emerging international development financing and aid regime was to provide crucial funding for state-led development planning in the postcolonial world. In the eyes of (MPS) neoliberals, a dangerous liaison between planning-minded leaders in developing and developed countries threatened to undermine the free market system.

Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin, loc. 1263