Neoliberalism tells us we’re selfish souls – how can we promote other identities ? | openDemocracy
▻https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/neoliberalism-tells-us-were-selfish-souls-how-can-we-promote-other-id
(Nonobstant le fait que la photo, R2-D2 en identité exemplaire, est très dommageable pour l’article)
The architects of neoliberalism understood this process of identity creation. By treating people as selfish, rational utility maximisers, they actively encouraged them to become selfish, rational utility maximisers. As the opening article points out, this is not a side effect of neoliberal policy, but a central part of its intention. As Michael Sandel pointed out in his 2012 book ‘What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets’, it squeezes out competing values that previously governed non-market spheres of life, such as ethics of public service in the public sector, or mutual care within local communities. But these values remain latent: neoliberalism does not have the power to erase them completely. This is where the hope for the left lies, the crack of light through the doorway that needs to be prised open.