Neoliberalism, Inequality, and the Erosion of Social Well-being

Abstract

In this chapter, Rogers-Vaughn identifies neoliberalism as an adaptive, reflexive, cultural process that continually morphs to reflect and transform the cultures in which it is embedded. Tracing the history of neoliberal thought from 1920 to the present, he provides a framework for understanding neoliberalization as a cultural project that collapses economic, social, and political spheres, permeating all areas of discourse and profoundly impacting the way we relate to ourselves and each other. He argues that neoliberal societies, being founded on principles of competition and inequality, both enhance violence in society and promote isolated individualism, resulting in social fragmentation and varied forms of suffering. Rogers-Vaughn also draws attention to the ways in which postmodern theories have been complicit with neoliberalism, calling for an integration of Marx’s critique of capitalism with Foucault’s analysis of governmentality.