Abstract

This collection of essays incorporates the insight of an international group of experts to explore the impact of neoliberalism within different organisational domains from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. Examining neoliberalism in the context of political, social, economic and institutional domains, this volume promotes a critical and challenging approach to the social and economic attitudes characterising late-modern capitalism.

Philip Whitehead is a reader in criminal and social justice at Teesside University in Middlesbrough, UK. Previously he worked for the probation service for 26 years. Since the 1980s he has researched various aspects of the criminal justice system, and is the author of seven book and numerous articles.

Paul Crawshaw is assistant dean in the School of Social Sciences and Law at Teesside University in Middlesbrough, UK. He has researched social and political aspects of health and illness since the 1990s, and has published widely in these areas.

This collection of essays incorporates the insight of an international group of experts to explore the impact of neoliberal ideology upon political, social and economic domains, as well as institutions such as the prison, healthcare and education systems and the voluntary sector. Examining the effects of the emergence of late-modern capitalism in the 1970s, the articles look at how the reaction against post-war Keynesian ideology manifested itself in each of these areas. This neoliberal resurgence has been characterised by competition and free markets, individual and family responsibility, and socioeconomic policies that engender social insecurity, resulting in economic freedom for the few and a strong law-and-order state for those at the bottom of the social hierarchy. Abandoning the all-encompassing, supportive attitude deemed necessary in the immediate aftermath of wartime instability, the neoliberal emphasis on individual responsibility has resulted in numerous social and moral dislocations, including harsher attitudes toward crime and punishment. The essays included in ‘Organising Neoliberalism: Markets, Privatisation and Justice’ explore how neoliberal ideology permeates nearly all aspects of modern life, and produce strong arguments for resistance against it.

‘This timely, stimulating and immensely informative collection of essays offers a deeply knowledgeable, theoretically sophisticated overview of neoliberalism and its pervasive effects on all spheres of government policy and social life. Its particular strength is the tracing of neoliberalism as the taken-for-granted common sense of governmental debate and organisation. A very valuable resource for all who wish to understand what has gone wrong in recent times.’—Professor Robert Reiner, London School of Economics

‘This collection brings together essays demonstrating excellent research, conceptual richness and theoretical importance and contemporary relevance which are indispensable for understanding the deep and troubling consequences of neoliberalism’s deep penetration of everyday life. It is clearly written, well reasoned and incisive.’ —Dr Michael McKinley, Australian National University