Intriguing article.
A completely different perspective.
The* unholy* alliance* of* neoliberalism* and* postmodernism
Hans van Zon
www.imavo.be/vmt/13214-van Zon postmodernism.pdf
"Neoliberalism and postmodernism are very different. Looking back at the last three decades we can say that in the West the left (in which postmodernism is firmly based) has won the culture wars, while the right (where neoliberalism first emerged) has won the economic war.
In neoliberal thought, that is the ideological expression of the rule of finance capital, society is reduced to economy. The most basic institutions are transforming into contractual arrangements. Neoliberals see as the driving force of human behaviour self-interest which is beneficial for society as a whole.
Postmodernism aims to criticize oppressive systems of power by de-constructing ideology. It posits the ideological foundations of multi-cultural society, in the sense of a society in which numerous cultures (‘culture as a life choice’) live together but where the common roof is (almost) absent.* Mainstream culture is denied or ignored while the cultures of minorities are cherished. The individual triumphs in the new postmodern condition, but is less protected.* It is an an expression of contemporary fragmented society.
Nevertheless, there are some commonalities. We can say that postmodernism and neoliberalism complement each other.
Postmodernism is a belief system that mainly finds adherents in (formerly) leftish circles while neoliberalism mainly finds support in conservative segments of society. Within the broad left there is a division of labor: postmodernists dealt with cultural questions and were usually not interested in socioeconomic issues that were left to neoliberals. Postmodernism disarmed the left with respect to neoliberalism. Both ideologies* (postmodernism and neoliberalism) helped to focus people on themselves (or sub-culture) rather than the public good. As seen by many postmodernists and neoliberals, by distancing from ideology, philosophy of life and traditions the citizen got a lot of freedom in exchange for an economic definition of citizenship as a consumer.
Shortly after the fall of Lehman brothers (2008) there was a widespread opinion that market-fundamentalism had failed. However, everywhere in the Western world market fundamentalists are still in the driving seats. But neoliberalism has been adjusted somewhat to fit into the new circumstances."
1
A completely different perspective.
The* unholy* alliance* of* neoliberalism* and* postmodernism
Hans van Zon
www.imavo.be/vmt/13214-van Zon postmodernism.pdf
"Neoliberalism and postmodernism are very different. Looking back at the last three decades we can say that in the West the left (in which postmodernism is firmly based) has won the culture wars, while the right (where neoliberalism first emerged) has won the economic war.
In neoliberal thought, that is the ideological expression of the rule of finance capital, society is reduced to economy. The most basic institutions are transforming into contractual arrangements. Neoliberals see as the driving force of human behaviour self-interest which is beneficial for society as a whole.
Postmodernism aims to criticize oppressive systems of power by de-constructing ideology. It posits the ideological foundations of multi-cultural society, in the sense of a society in which numerous cultures (‘culture as a life choice’) live together but where the common roof is (almost) absent.* Mainstream culture is denied or ignored while the cultures of minorities are cherished. The individual triumphs in the new postmodern condition, but is less protected.* It is an an expression of contemporary fragmented society.
Nevertheless, there are some commonalities. We can say that postmodernism and neoliberalism complement each other.
Postmodernism is a belief system that mainly finds adherents in (formerly) leftish circles while neoliberalism mainly finds support in conservative segments of society. Within the broad left there is a division of labor: postmodernists dealt with cultural questions and were usually not interested in socioeconomic issues that were left to neoliberals. Postmodernism disarmed the left with respect to neoliberalism. Both ideologies* (postmodernism and neoliberalism) helped to focus people on themselves (or sub-culture) rather than the public good. As seen by many postmodernists and neoliberals, by distancing from ideology, philosophy of life and traditions the citizen got a lot of freedom in exchange for an economic definition of citizenship as a consumer.
Shortly after the fall of Lehman brothers (2008) there was a widespread opinion that market-fundamentalism had failed. However, everywhere in the Western world market fundamentalists are still in the driving seats. But neoliberalism has been adjusted somewhat to fit into the new circumstances."
1
