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Is neoliberalism a Liberalism, or a strange kind of bird? On Hayek and our discontents

Sharpe, Matthew 2009, Is neoliberalism a Liberalism, or a strange kind of bird? On Hayek and our discontents, Critical horizons, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 76-98.

Document type: Journal Article
Collection: Faculty of Arts and Education
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Title Is neoliberalism a Liberalism, or a strange kind of bird? On Hayek and our discontents
Author(s) Sharpe, Matthew
Journal name Critical horizons
Volume number 10
Issue number 1
Start page 76
End page 98
Publisher Acumen Publishing Ltd
Place of publication Stocksfield, England
Publication date 2009
ISSN 1440-9917
1568-5160
Keyword(s) Friedrich von Hayek
Aristophanes' birds
neoliberalism
liberalism
democracy
tyranny
disciplining for freedom
Summary This paper examines the theoretical ideas of Friedrich von Hayek, arguably the key progenitor of the global economic orthodoxy of the past two decades. It assesses Hayek's thought as he presents it: namely as a form of liberalism. Section I argues that Hayek's thought, if liberal, is hostile to participatory democracy. Section II then argues the more radical thesis that neoliberalism is also in truth an illiberal doctrine. Founded not in any social contract doctrine, but a form of constructivism, neoliberal thought at its base accepts the paradoxical need to "discipline subjects for freedom", however this might contravene peoples' natural, social inclinations. The argument is framed by reference to Aristophanes' great comedy, The Birds, whose off shore borderless empire ironically prefigures the dream of neoliberal social engineers, and their corporate supporters.
Language eng
Field of Research 220319 Social Philosophy
Socio Economic Objective 970122 Expanding Knowledge in Philosophy and Religious Studies
HERDC Research category C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal
HERDC collection year 2009
Copyright notice ©2009, Acumen Publishing
Persistent URL http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30020097
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