Neoliberalism and Individualism: Theoretical Points

Abstract

In this article, we propose to analyze1neoliberalism in its relationship with individualism, that is, we intend to show that both processes mark the same dynamics of societies and markets today. On the one hand, neoliberalism would be a structural process coercing actors and institutions, however, it would also mark a social dynamic where individuals themselves assume practices and guidelines for conducting their actions in the sense of valuing their own undertaking in the processes of social integration to markets. With this, we aim to show that in contemporary times, reflecting on and analyzing neoliberalism necessarily involves understanding the individualization processes characteristic of modern societies.

El individualismo como política pública: la vivienda incremental amenazada por la pobreza energética

“…Sin embargo, el argumento se puede llevar más allá, hasta el límite de comprender que estas acciones aparecen también por el modelo económico neoliberal impuesto en dictadura (incluyendo algunas correcciones introducidas por gobiernos democráticos) (Madariaga, 2019). En este sentido se puede entender como el individualismo y el neoliberalismo están entrelazados y donde este último es capaz de coaccionar a los actores e instituciones para conducirlos hacia diseños institucionales ad-hoc a las necesidades rentistas del modelo (Leme, 2023). De manera similar, McGuigan (2014) define un tipo ideal del "yo neoliberal", que combina el sujeto idealizado de la economía clásica y neoclásica con el discurso contemporáneo del contribuyente escéptico a la justicia redistributiva, en base a un ideal meritocrático.…”

“…However, the argument can be pushed further, to the point of understanding that these actions also stem from the from the neoliberal economic model imposed during the dictatorship (including some corrections introduced by the democratic governments) (Madariaga, 2019). In this sense, it can be understood how individualism and neoliberalism are intertwined, and how the latter is capable of coercing actors and institutions to lead them towards institutions ad-hoc to the profit-making needs of the model (Leme, 2023). Similarly, McGuigan (2014) defines an ideal type of "liberal self", which combines the idealized subject of classic and neoclassic economics with the contemporary discourse of the taxpayer skeptical of redistributive justice, on the basis of a meritocratic ideal.…”