Neoliberalism Workshop
Historical Perspectives and Critical Possibilities
Organizers: Sujatha Fernandes and Yan Hairong
FRIDAY, October 15, 2004
4:30pm Public lecture - William Robinson
Venue: Robertson Hall, Bowl 1
SATURDAY, October 16, 2004
Free and Open to the Public
10:00am - 6:00pm 1-Day Workshop
Venue: Seminar Room 107, Program in Latin American Studies, 58 Prospect Place
Table of Contents:
Workshop Introduction
Workshop Reading Material
Workshop Schedule
List of Participants
Sponsors
Workshop Introduction:
Neoliberalism, a series of market oriented reforms aimed at global economic integration, free trade, privatization, and deregulation, has been presented by some scholars as an aberration in the history of capitalism, by other scholars as an obstacle to the achievement of true social democracy, and by other scholars still as synonymous with processes of democratization. In contrast, this one-day workshop entitled, Neoliberalism: Historical Perspectives and Critical Possibilities, seeks to explore the larger global trajectory of neoliberalism, situating it within evolving social and historical processes of late capitalism, and discussing the possibilities that it may make available for political action. We aim to bring together a range of scholars from social science disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, and politics, as well as social movement activists to explore the meanings of neoliberalism in a contemporary context. We seek to challenge the dichotomous terms on which much of the debate about neoliberalism has taken place, namely whether it mobilizes or demobilizes, undermines or promotes democratization, facilitates or suppresses nationalism. Through a cross-disciplinary conversation among scholars and activists working in diverse regional contexts including the United States, Latin America, and Asia, we hope to provoke reflections about the multi-dimensional nature of neoliberalism. Neoliberalism also intends to probe the ways in which citizenship, public space and social movements have been reconfigured during the current neoliberal moment. What kinds of openings does neoliberalism offer for political activism and what are the new frames of action that it generates?
Here are some themes and questions that could be addressed in this workshop. We welcome other suggestions and ideas:
- How “neo" is neoliberalism? Is it simply liberalism in a new guise or does it represent a break with previous articulations of liberalism?
- The conditions of intellectual production under neoliberalism, the limitations of contemporary postcolonial theory as a framework for analyzing new modes of power and contestation under neoliberalism.
- The representative role of political parties and organized political movements in a neoliberal context. Are social movements the new vehicles for political practice and how do they interact with parties and/or the formal political sphere?
- Civil society is being lauded as a new mode of citizen empowerment in a neoliberal era, but what limitations might civil society institutions such as NGOs present for historically marginalized groups and social movements?
- With the rise in unemployment and the expansion of the informal sector, many have talked about fragmentation of the working class and have questioned class as a useful category for effective social mobilization. To what extent is this process specific to a neoliberal era and how does this shape possibilities for collective action?
Workshop Reading Material:
David Harvey, "Neo-Liberalism and the Restoration of Class Power."
Workshop Schedule:
| ||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
Participants:
William Robinson, Sociology, Latin America, UC Santa Barbara
Roger Rouse, Anthropology, Mexico and the United States, UC Davis
Kaushik Ghosh, Anthropology, South Asia, University of Texas, Austin
Ethel Brooks, Sociology, Central America and South Asia, Rutgers University
Veronica Schild, Political Science, Latin America, University of Western Ontario
Biju Mathews, New York Taxi Workers Alliance
Han Yuhai, Critical Theory, Marxism, Beijing University
Carol Greenhouse, Anthropology, Society of Fellows, Princeton University
Saul Thomas, History, Anthropology, China, University of Chicago
Sponsors:
Society of Fellows
Princeton Institute of International and Regional Studies
Program in Latin American Studies
Anthropology Department
Davis Center
Woodrow Wilson School
© 2009 The Trustees of Princeton University | Contact Us | Last Update - October 2009