1. NEOLIBERALISM
a political orientation originating in the 1960s; blends liberal political views with an emphasis
on economic growth . having or showing belief in the need for economic growth in addition to
traditional liberalistic values
2. Neoliberalism
• Ideological - a set of ideas about the “best” relationship between the economy and government.
• Political - social and economic reforms that put the ideas of neoliberalism into practice.
• Historical - an era characterized by the dominance of neoliberal political projects (roll-back and rollout).
3. Neoliberal Ideas
• The economy will prosper if left alone, and a prosperous economy is good for the people.
• Individuals bear responsibility for their poverty, and governments should not foster “dependence” on
social programs.
• Economic rationales should be applied to social programs: competition, cost-benefits analysis,
measurable outcomes.
4. What Does Neoliberalism Look Like?
• Free market policies
• In “developing” world (aka former colonies of US and European empires): structural adjustment
programs that cut social spending
• In US: shift of industrial production out of US, and growth of domestic service and knowledge
industries; workfare
• Increasing economic polarization
• Growth of surplus populations
• Expansion of “security” industries - police, prisons, military occupation
• Expanding power of supranational governance bodies
5. What Does Neoliberalism Look Like in the City?
• Selling off of public space to private corporations
• Dominance of consumerism
• “Quality of life” crackdowns
• More cops, and more militarized policing
• Growth of private security forces in quasi- public spaces
• Growth of non-profit sector
• Intensification of racialized economic exploitation and racial wealth gap