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Alienation in a Neo-Liberal Age
Alienation in a Neo-Liberal Age
Monday, 11 July 2016: 10:45-12:15
Location: Seminar 34 (Juridicum)
RC36 Alienation Theory and Research (host committee) Language: English
Globalization became the dominant economic trope in the latter part of the 20th century, creating a deterritorialized seamless world market, while neoliberalism simultaneously displaced Keynesian economics. This has had at least four major consequences. 1) There has been a mushrooming of profits and wealth, 2) most of which has gone to a small number of elite members of the transnational capitalist class, while 3) vast numbers of people have faced income stagnation, if not a decline in standards of living. Their hopes for a better way of life have waned, especially in respect to the growing class of the precariat. In turn, we see 4) a number of manifestations of the alienation so engendered.
These range from a growing right wing that reminds us of the rise of fascism in the 1920s and 1930s to various Islamic fundamentalist movements that display similar features. We also note the emergence of such progressive movements as Syriza, Podemos, and Der Linke Party, as well as the impetus of the Arab Spring, Occupy, and so forth. Many have also turned away from any political involvement, escaping into the realms of drugs, popular culture, and/or both. This session will attempt to clarify the roots and nature of 21st century alienation.
Session Organizer: