Beware the Nanny State: Neoliberal Ideology and American Health Law Reform

摘要

Thisarticle identifies neoliberalism as an important contemporary ideology and thenexamines the impact of this ideology and its concomitant rhetoric on publichealth law in the United States. In particular, the article considers theimpact of neoliberalism on laws restricting the size of sugary soft drinks,requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets, and mandating graphic warnings onindividual cigarette packages. In each area, neoliberalism helped thwartefforts at law reform, much to the ultimate detriment of the public’s health.When these developments are underscored, they bring into higher relief theimportant relationship of ideology and law.