Proceedings of the 23rd International Academic Conference, Venice

NEOLIBERALISM AND INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY – THE THEORY THAT CONTRADICTS ITSELF

IRIT KEYNAN

Abstract:

The practice of political neoliberalism, and how it often contradicts its own basic premise of free market and individual liberty from government intervention, have vastly been studied. Scholars have exemplified this inconsistency, in the support by neoliberal republicans in the US of conservative policies such as limiting the rights of the gay and lesbian community, opposing "Planned Parenthood", and calling for state intervention in order to limit entrance of foreign workers. This paper adds to the critical analysis of neoliberalism by questioning the theory itself, and its basic claim of promoting the individual’s right for liberty. Upon deconstructing and carefully examining the idea of liberty in the neoliberal concept, this paper suggests that neoliberalism intentionally denies individual liberty from the majority while deliberately secures liberty and financial success in the hands of the privileged few. These undemocratic ideas, the paper contends, are not "collateral damage", but embedded in the theory.

Keywords: Neoliberalism; human rights; liberty; free market; equality, democracy

DOI: 10.20472/IAC.2016.023.050

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