Dürr’s first systematic analysis of ordoliberalism in fact suggests a complete distinction of ordoliberalism and neoliberalism primarily because of this difference: “The first and foremost difference between ordoliberalism and neoliberalism can be seen in the fact that the latter tries to further a ‘competitive order’ or ‘workable competition’ whereas the continental (German) ordoliberalism aspires to veranstalten a consistently ‘ordered competition.’ Secondly, the measures concerning the distribution of wealth and income display a more social liberal character” (Dürr 1954, 7). Similar efforts to amplify differences are soundly rejected by Wegmann (2002) and Nicholls (1984).

Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin, loc. 564