Ordoliberalism in The Epoch of Pandemy

There are three parts to this paper. The first part presents a discussion on ordoliberalism as a discursive structure. In doing so, it also analyzes how a certain set of ideas acquires hegemony and the specific significance of the indication “ideas matter”. The second, central part of the paper emphasizes the contradiction relating to the application of ordoliberalism within the European Union. This contradiction is sharpened with the tension between “rules” and “discretion”-based government. At the same time, ordoliberalism, which is woven into the German tradition, is presented as an expression of this contradiction. This section also sheds light on the COVID 19 pandemic from the perspective of ordoliberalism and points to the continuity of the pandemic with pre-existing crises. In the third part, starting from the relationship between ordoliberalism and capitalism, we talk about the connection of this orientation with the German export strategy, which is a sign of strong continuity of German politics. Ordoliberalism is an expression of Germany’s position in the EU and the world, and similarly, if we can talk about „ordoliberalization“ of European capitalism, we can expect its presence on a European scale.