Rise, Construction and End of Neoliberal (N)Iceland

Abstract

Iceland is the perfect research location to study the shadowy side of capitalism. For whatever happened here in 2008 happened globally; the scale may be different, the problem is universal. The nation served as a microcosm of the worldwide market panic, especially in the United States and Europe. It’s also the perfect showcase for the saying that ‘when America sneezes, Europe catches a cold’. With the United States catching pneumonia in 2008 smaller states, like Iceland, where taken to their sickbeds and were lucky to survive. Like in the rest of the world people were left with feelings of fear and uncertainty. What does this crisis mean for our jobs, houses, social structure and future? It’s clear that the Icelandic crisis of 2008 was the result of the global connectedness the Icelanders found themselves confronted with since politicians adopted neoliberal policies at the end of the last century.