GRSJ224/neoliberalismandsocialjustice
GRSJ 224 Wiki-Page Entry - Gabriel Chin
Overview
The term neoliberalism is used in contemporary society to refer to a policy model that seeks to move control of economic activity from the private to public sector. Neoliberalism is defined as a set of widespread economic policies that revolve around the principles of both Laissez-faire economics and free market capitalism. Introduced in the early 20th century, this economic reform had various meanings to people. However, shortly after to the Great Depression, a group of intellectuals formed in order to address the perils of a system to which they attributed as the cause, economic liberalism. A move away from Keynesianism, the dominant macroeconomic theory from 1945-1980, and towards neoliberalism took place and was first utilized by Agusto Pinochet in 1980 for hopes of creating economic reform in Chile. From then on, although many saw flaws within this new economic policy, many leaders of nation states have employed and altered neoliberalism in order to serve economic interests. Today, neoliberalism takes placed in various facets of life and continues to impact people under such regimes in various ways. Moreover, social justice surrounds the concept of just relations between the individual and society through the fair distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges. Within contemporary society, neoliberalism, along with the ideals it imposes, has bled into every aspect of life and not only regulates market control but the people within it. As a result, social justice is hindered by a free market that is run by individuals rather than the government and can be seen through various aspects of society.
Impact on Social Justice
Gender as a Framework
Throughout neoliberalism's history there have been developments in the way it has impacted people, and more specifically through gender. Recent studies have shown the consequences associated with neoliberalism in reference to the attention placed on women through development agencies[1]. One of these consequences can be noted to be the conflicting outlooks on empowerment between feminists and the developmental policies of neoliberalism. Through a neoliberal framework, the term empowerment is deteriorated as women are portrayed as in a constant struggle to provide for their families and development is seen as the solution through their ability to give women a chance to better their circumstances. Contrary to the version of empowerment characterized by autonomy and self-provision, neoliberalism impact on the term itself can be seen through their disposition to frame women as in a constant struggle.
Moreover, neoliberal regimes have not only impacted women through their framework of empowerment, but through the overall representation of women as a whole. Based on structures of patriarchy and dominance, neoliberalism now frames women to be docile and in full commitment to the welfare of the family. This can be attributed to the roots of neoliberalism residing deeply within liberal theory, which had historically excluded women from individuality.
Institutions as a Framework
Neoliberal regimes have attempted to legitimize the marginalization of women through the creation of their developmental programs that further depict woman as a group that may be controlled. Under this type of framework, women within the global south are the most marginalized and seen as a more well organized gender to which there may be more control over [2]. Furthermore, through such developmental programs women are framed as being "good" mothers, daughters, and daughters-in-law whose disposition is to make sacrifices for their families. This portrayal of women furthers notions of gendered division of labour as well as reveals the dominant patriarchal ideologies surrounding neoliberalism [2]. Nevertheless, these instances of marginalization have allowed for a variety of feminist organizations to form in order to fight against dominant patriarchal structures [3].
Labour as a Framework
By using labour as a framework, neoliberal regimes continue to stratify the most marginalized and detriment social justice by exploiting those who reside in the global south. In creating a neoliberal framework, a free market is regulated by citizens of the nation, however, because of this the most marginalized are pushed even further away due to a lack of resources. Furthermore, the intensification of international economic competition along with neoliberal frameworks has led to placing forces of production in previously colonized nation states due to cheaper labour [4]. In doing so, those who already reside within the global south and who are inherently marginalized are negatively impacted even further due to the desire to progress capitalism though neoliberal structures. In turn, social justice is hindered even more as neoliberal regimes prove to be unsuccessful in "economic efficiency and social well-being"; two of the main concepts neoliberalism surrounds [4]. As a result, these processes creates an inverse relationship between the middle- and upper-class and the working-class as the latter become less "enriched" while the former progress.
Further Implications
Implications and Movements
Due to the perils of neoliberalism, many who reside within the global south succumb to the further detriments imposed on their lives. However, movements created by activists around the world in nation states that revolve around neoliberalism have taken place in order to combat the social injustices that the economic policies incite. More specifically, areas such as Cairo, Athens, and London have seen these instances of movements [5]. Such movements revolve around addressing concerns having to do with the way that neoliberalism has impacted their lives and those who live under these economic policies. Nevertheless, neoliberalism has seeped into many aspects of life for those under such an economic policy and provided many unintended consequences as a result. Through this framework, social justice is hindered even further and the original mission of this economic policy is negated. What is important to consider now is whether such an integral part of many nation states can be changed and or even altered in order to create a system that does not marginalize those who are already economically disadvantaged.
References
- ↑ Cornwall; et al. (Winter 2008). "Introduction: Reclaiming Feminism: Gender and Neoliberalism" (PDF). Institute of Development Studies. 39. Explicit use of et al. in:
|first=(help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kalpana, WIlson (2011). "'Race', Gender and Neoliberalism: changing visual representations in development". Third World Quarterly: 315–331 – via Routledge.
- ↑ Harcourt, Wendy (2017). "BODIES IN RESISTANCE GENDER AND SEXUAL POLITICS IN THE AGE OF NEOLIBERALISM" (PDF). GENDER, DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL CHANGE – via Springer.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Einstein, Hester (2009). "Feminism Seduced How Global Elites Use Women's Labor and Ideas to Exploit the World". Routledge. 1 – via Taylorfrancis.
- ↑ Ishkanian, Armine (2018). "Resisting neoliberalism? Movements against austerity and for democracy in Cairo, Athens and London". Critical Social Policy. 3: 527–546 – via Sagepub.