Neoliberalism
Neoliberalism "reduces the state to a handmaiden of transnational capital. In pursuing the relentless privatization of the commons, its policies inevitably spark popular discontent." -Firoze Manji, Beautiful Trouble. [1] Neoliberalism emerged as a set of global policies implemented by the Margaret Thatcher in the UK and Ronald Reagan in the US.
How does neoliberalism work?
Capital, under capitalism, is concentrated. A few hundred corporations control almost every aspect of our economies. Capitalists respond to the falling rate of profit through accumulation by dispossession (credit, property and stock markets). The outcome is governments that are more accountable to corporations, banks, and financial institutions than they are to citizens. Neoliberalism claims to resolve crises by subjecting all aspects of life to the free market.
Examples of neoliberalism
Neoliberalism results in privatizing public services, eliminating jobs and reduced wages, extracting natural resources and expoliitation.
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Disposability discourse |
Much discussion around the severity of COVID was lessened by expressing how it mainly sickens and kills elderly, chronically ill, and disabled people. This discourse suggests these groups are seen disposable. |
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Loosened restrictions too early |
When governments loosened COVID restrictions in response to business demands, political pressure, and public impatience, rather than scientific evidence, high risk populations (the chronically ill, disabled and elderly) were subsequently told they are disposable yet again. |
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Working through illness |
Regulations around how many sick days should be required when someone falls ill with COVID also demonstrated ableism. In relation to these regulations, and in favour of profit above health, many politicians including US President Joe Biden, praised themselves for working through COVID, instead of encouraging people to rest and recover if they'd fallen ill. |
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Individualism |
Individuals have been encouraged to make 'personal' choices on vaccines (without legitimate health restrictions), masks and gatherings. "There is no individual safety without collective safety and collective safety requires that no one is safe unless everyone is safe." - Mia Mingus [2] |
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