How Neoliberalism Threatens Democracy

Neoliberalism, warns Professor Wendy Brown, has created a form of reasoning in which human beings are reduced to their economic value and activity, and in which all fields of human activity are treated as markets and institutions, including the state, are increasingly run as if they were corporations. This logic is even applied to activities with no connection to wealth creation, such as education, dating, or physical exercise, which are increasingly governed according to market rules. People are treated in this schema, as units of human capital who must constantly tend to their own present and future value.

[GEORGEEEJ]

Any assistance to “the people” is criticized as socialism, while the $ Billions given to corporations via grants, tax reductions, etc are considered bail outs in the neoliberal circles.

[Mr.MBarrett]

We're living it right now. The proof is in the wealth gap, and the wealthy power grabs we witness in politics. Fantastic conversation.

[allencallahan]

Prof. Brown’s explication is lucid, incisive, compelling: she breaks it down, showing us clearly what is in play and at stake. Brilliant. Kudos.

[marithervig]

Brown's Undoing the Demos is one of the best books about the economic dynamics over the past 35-40 years. Includes great historic, political, and economic understanding, and shows how economism and a kind of competitive totalitarianism has replaced the kinder FDR (Keynesian) democratic-capitalism combination. Another great read is A Brief History of Neo-liberalism by David Harvey.

[michaelcallaghan]

Really fascinating conversation. I'm glad people are having these discussions and they are being published. I'd hope things can change.

[adompe]

This is a vitally important subject of conversation that needs national attention.

[fernforwood]

Economic systems are tools for societies to use, not the other way around. Neoliberalism will inevitably fail, but not until after many deaths & much suffering.

[TamaraMori]

"Filling the void of out-of-control is faith in the markets". Brilliant.

[allencallahan]

Brown’s explication is lucid, incisive: she breaks it down, showing us clearly what is in play and at stake. Brilliant. Kudos.

[ecsrice]

Fantastic point by Dr. Brown regarding the Promise of Modernity that technology and or sophistication would enable modern humans to take control of their lives i.e quality of life no longer left up to nature or "the fates". Adding to that modernity has the potential to make Society better however it has been hijacked by the profit motive or as she calls it markets. This takes all the benefit of modernity away from Society (who by the way developed modernity as a group) and gives it to market elites.

[Tim_Climie]

If I understand her overall message, is that markets and capitalism aren't necessarily joined to popular rule, nor do they inherently serve the popular interest.

Obvious enough, but I like that she didn't dwell on making accusations and stirring up hatred, rather unpacking the basic logic of it. We need more clear explanations like this. Thumbs up.

[danzel]

This is the first time I have heard Wendy Brown talk. I found it very interesting.

[david]

Excellent interview
Very deep insight and analysis into the sinews of neoliberalism
and the challenges of human civilisation and governance

[plumjade]

Brown was really excellent to listen to and gave understandable explanations to complex systems. Would like to hear her position on the affect of immigration on most vulnerable citizens and the economics of society in general.

[williamwimbourne]

One of the best videos I have seen that explains what's going on. Thank you.

[wasy]

It's in their benefit to have "free markets" when they have such a head start in the race -- he who has the financial wherewithal most likely wins the competition.

[seedeed]

Neoliberalism is an attempt to explain the contemporary political-economic order. It basically has no real meaning that isn't already encompassed by the term liberalism but is more specific to privatization, deregulation, free markets, erosion of government oversight, and erosion of public ownership. Ultimately, markets are an inefficient way of ensuring everyone's basic needs are met. The management of industry by individuals necessarily implies private property, and since competition is in reality merely the manner and form in which the control of industry by private property owners expresses itself, it follows that private property cannot be separated from competition and the individual management of industry. Private property must, therefore, be abolished and in its place must come the common utilization of all instruments of production and the distribution of all products according to common agreement – in a word, what is called the communal ownership of goods.

[johnbarker]

Thomas Picketty's "Capital in the Twenty First Century" totally changed my way of thinking. His thesis, that advanced nations are now utilizing Dual Economies to accelerate the concentration of wealth to the top, opened my eyes to a lot of things which were previously difficult for me to understand. Everything that gets said in the public realm about free markets led me to believe those at the top must not be able to see how their preferred policies were creating slower economic growth and eliminating social mobility. Afterward and since, I've understood that's the point.

[christopherbettridge]

I'm thrilled that the necessary bluntness of the way this knowledge should be presented has been done here; and put in a first class of critical lucid and fully understandable language and speech. (So much so that I fear I have lost my own abilities in these categories as I attempt to write this!🙃) Mein Gott, the message must be heard kudos to you for your part done with this video. A book I must read immediately

[captainwilliam]

It's ironic that neoliberalism, which was based off of avoidance of centrally planning the economy and markets for the sake of avoiding authoritarianism, lead to people in today's society wanting authoritarianism because those people associate freedom with problems caused by the market.