Techno-progressive neoliberalism and its alternatives: the case of Mercado Libre and the organization Transistemas

Abstract

This article aims to ascertain the meanings and values established in the corporate agenda of Mercado Libre, the leader in e-commerce in Latin America. Starting from a systematic survey of its appearances in the media and social networks, we address the meanings of inclusion and the imaginary of the future that it promotes as a technology-intensive company. The techno-inclusive agenda proposed by techno-progressive neoliberalism feeds on the demands of the new social movements to revitalize the idea of a hyper-individualized entrepreneurial subject and position technological innovation as the center of social well-being. Likewise, we include the activist experience of Transistemas, a LGTBIQ+ social organization that generates proposals for formal labor insertion in the computer industry. Considering these two cases, we attempt to analyze the tension between the techno-progressive neoliberal hegemonic agenda and the resignifications that are produced on it from grassroots political activism.