SOCIAL CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS | FALL 2016 | PROF. EVAN ADELSON | MW 11:35-12:45

Understanding *Theories of Social Problems: Functionalism, Conflict Theory and *Social Constructionism

*Emphasis of slideshow, and course content of focus

DEFINING “NEOLIBERALISM”

What is Neoliberalism?Neoliberalism is a theory of political and economic practices.

TO UNDERSTAND NEOLIBERALISM, ONE MUST GRASP THE CONCEPTS OF A THEORY.

A theory is composed of two parts: the theory itself (the proposal) - and - the application of the theory.

The Proposal: Neoliberalism proposes that human well-being can best be advanced by liberating individual entrepreneurial freedoms and skills within an institutional framework that is characterized by strong property rights, free markets and free trade.

According to the neoliberalism propositions, the state cannot possess enough information to second guess market prices (signals), and because powerful interest groups will inevitably distort and bias state interventions, particularly in democracies (current U.S. institutional framework), for their own benefit.

Neoliberalism has been/ and currently is the hegemonic mode of ideological discourse.

Definition of hegemonic: A ruling or dominant system of thought in a particular political/ social context.

Definition of discourse: Cultural hegemony is the domination of a culturally diverse society, by the ruling class who manipulate the culture of that society—the beliefs, explanations, perceptions, values, and mores—so that their imposed, ruling-class worldview becomes the accepted cultural norm.

The propositions (the proposal) of neoliberalism embodies ideals that appeal to anyone who values the ability to make decisions for themselves.

The idea of freedom, long embedded in US tradition, has played an apparent role in the institutional framework that frames US society. The events that took place on 9/11, for example, was immediately interpreted as an attack on the individual freedoms of the U.S.

*Two-parts of the Neoliberal “Theory” :

PART 1: The STATEMENT of words, or propositions presented, and are generally agreed upon by the majority.

• There is the theory, itself, which is a statement that the public is generally in joint-agreement upon.

PART 2: The ACTUAL PRACTICE of those stated propositions to be used as principles of explanation and classes of phenomenon.• When the theory is applied and used in practice, contradictions arise between the statement

of propositions, and the actual effects that occur in practice on the general public.

• Contradictions are results of conflicting public interests and private interests. These contradictions are, in U.S. society, hidden by those whom hold political power, or those who claim a superior position within the constructed social hierarchy.

• *Two-parts of a “Theory” is placed on this slide in order to understand the main causes of the contradictions between the Statement of Intent (Propositions that the theory embodies), and the social problems that arise due to the practice of these propositions not including human nature when applicable to everyday life.

“Neoliberalism” in the eyes of the public reflected the general interest in the overall well-being of the population –Therefore, the propositions presented were transformed into the central guiding principle of thought in which many have adopted, and conduct their lives by. The principles have become embedded into everyday society to the point in which they have become common-sense, and in effect, are not generally questioned.

The “Freedom” that is embodied by Neoliberalism is not a reflection of public interest, rather the private sector or elites’ of the US, whom

utilized the ‘9/11’ attack to proposition the US as the “savior” of those whom

are not granted freedom.

The public eye is blind to the application of the theory in practice (as they are not aware that freedoms are a reflection of the interests of the elite, rather than the proposed interests of

the public). However, the theory’s propositions were proposed in such a

way that has contributed to the generation/ reproduction of the

individualistic society, way of thought, of the United States.

First bullet point here

Second bullet point here

Third bullet point here

THE IDEA OF FREEDOM: In relation to the crisis that occurred on September 11th, 2001 - Bush came out to the public with the declaration, which I have summarized as follows: The attack was one upon the “freedom,” and individualistic culture the U.S. has installed - however, it is now the responsibility of this country to grant access to the same types of freedoms the citizens of and/or the nation of the U.S. has. To the public, the statement presented the idea of “freedom” and how, as individuals, they are privileged to reside in such a “democratic” society. Therefore, their consent is based upon misinformed resources.

PUBLIC INTEREST”CONCEPTUAL FREEDOM” (THE APPARATUS)The statement of propositions –The Theory

PRIVATE INTEREST

How the theory, or the system of thought embodied by the propositions of neoliberalism, is presented to the

public in form of a statement. A statement that blinds the public to the true interests of the group that it is

reflecting.

When the theory is applied in practice, it reflects:

In the book written by DavidHarvey, “An Introduction toNeoliberalism,” there is thestated problem, then, thereis the real problem.

As Professor Evan Adelsonhas confirmed throughwords of his own; the statedproblem is that the economyis slowing down, but the realproblem is simply just theelites losing power.

The stated theory, since the 1970s, has been turned towards everywhere in political-

economical practices and thinking. It has become a hegemonic mode of discourse. It has pervasive effects on ways of thought to the point where it has become incorporated

into the common-sense way many us of interpret, live in, and understand the world.