It's hard to believe now, but in the 1980s and 1990s neoliberal policies enjoyed a high level of support. Narratives about the benefits of privatization and outsourcing tended to be believed back then.

Now it's a very different situation. The old guard hang onto power with the same policies as 30 years ago, but few people believe in them anymore and it's more like going through the motions because "this is what we've always done".

It's possible that the next generation of politicians might have a very different attitude. I think it's also possible that we're entering into another "age of revolutions" because there's a kind of perfect storm of economic, environmental and social problems impinging from all sides.