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<\/a><\/p>\nHere I continue discussion of the book Neoliberalism\u2019s Demons: The Political Theology of Late Capital by Adam Kotsko. Now I take up Chapter 3: Neoliberalism\u2019s Demons (title of both the book and the chapter). If you have read the chapter, feel free to comment. If not, feel free to ask a question.<\/p>\n
Much of this chapter is taken up with discussion of Christian theology which is interesting, of course, but not especially pertinent to the overall thesis of the book or chapter. I have serious qualms about some of what Kotsko says about \u201cChristianity.\u201d He seems to think that \u201cChristianity\u201d has been (and perhaps is) a factory of victims. Oh well, on to the last few pages where he says what he really means\u2014about neoliberalism\u2019s \u201cdemons.\u201d<\/p>\n
I think the thesis of the whole book is summarized in this sentence on page 89: \u201cNeoliberalism makes demons of us all.\u201d Why? Because, according to Kotsko, neoliberalism believes and teaches and acts upon the principle that \u201cOnly the weak will fail\u201d (Trump). Another way of saying that is \u201cIf you fail, it is because you are weak.\u201d It does not take into account \u201csystemic forces beyond any individual\u2019s control\u201d (95) in society or the economy. On page 95 the author says that for neoliberalism \u201cIf you fail [in the economy of the free market] it is your fault and yours alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stop here to remind ourselves what \u201cneoliberalism\u201d refers to. Here, anyway, in this book and generally among scholars, \u201cneoliberalism\u201d refers to the belief that the free market cannot fail. That is, it is always right. Kind of like God in Calvinism: whatever it (he) does is right just because it (he) does it (voluntarism).<\/p>\n
In other words, for political theologians like Kotsko, neoliberalism treats the free market as the ultimate reality, like God, only not God but god. All of life comes to revolve around it and the very purpose of human life is to compete within it. And neoliberals have faith that IF the free market is unhindered (which is what \u201cfree\u201d means), the majority, or at least the worthy, will succeed and thrive.<\/p>\n
Kotsko says on page 95: \u201cNeoliberalism is, in sum, a totalizing world order, an integral self-reinforcing system of political theology, and it has progressively transformed our world into a living hell.\u201d It is an \u201cinfernal system.\u201d Why? Because it finds no meaning outside the dog-eat-dog economy and reduces all of us to drones. Some succeed and become billionaires, but so what? What is the meaning of being a billionaire? Neoliberalism is atomistically individualistic and that\u2019s all there is.<\/p>\n
Of course, Kotsko knows that some neoliberals confess belief in God and call themselves Christians. For example, Catholic theologian-turned-social philosopher Michael Novak, author of The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism. But Novak said, in a debate on Youtube, that in America ANYONE can get out of poverty in five years or less. Really? Capitalism in America is that magical? What about systemic oppression?<\/p>\n
What about \u201cdemons?\u201d Earlier in the chapter Kotsko went on a rant about \u201cwelfare queens\u201d and how that language and imagery demonized single, mostly Black, mothers. It was a sign of neoliberalism\u2019s demonizing effect. Now, as neoliberalism progresses, anyone who does not \u201cget out of poverty\u201d is demonized. Not only looked down upon, but considered bad, wrong, if not evil.<\/p>\n
If you were put off by Kotsko\u2019s rants about neoliberalism\u2019s demons, as I was, somewhat, you might still accept his general argument that the free market, as defined by neoliberals, has the effect, if not the intention, of making the poor responsible for their poverty. Not just because they are \u201clazy\u201d or \u201cshiftless\u201d but because they are beings nature, the free market, has chosen to damn. They are society\u2019s \u201closers\u201d and helping them through government means is contrary to the good and true and the right.<\/p>\n
I already knew all about this philosophy before hearing it called \u201cneoliberalism.\u201d It is what Ayn Rand promoted in her novels and essays and on the Phil Donahue Show (and other venues). Read her novels in high school. It took me a while to realize what she was promoting, but now I realize it was and is neoliberalism. It is also Social Darwinism. And no one has stated it more succinctly than Trump: \u201cOnly the weak will fail.\u201d<\/p>\n
*Note: If you choose to comment or ask a question, make sure your comment or question is relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative), and devoid of pictures or links.*<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Here I continue discussion of the book Neoliberalism\u2019s Demons: The Political Theology of Late Capital by Adam Kotsko. Now I take up Chapter 3: Neoliberalism\u2019s Demons (title of both the book and the chapter). If you have read the chapter, feel free to comment. If not, feel free to ask a question. Much of this […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":12148,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12325","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n