The COVID pandemic, more than anything in my lifetime — more than the 2016 or 2020 primaries — has really revealed where people stand on the role of government.
Neoliberalism has been deeply woven into our social fabric indeed.
Neoliberalism has been deeply woven into our social fabric indeed.
The idea that public health, in a deadly pandemic, should be left to individual choice, the private sector, and states rather than the federal government? Neoliberalism.
The idea that there is no social contract and any restriction on individuals is tyranny? More neoliberalism.
The idea that there is no social contract and any restriction on individuals is tyranny? More neoliberalism.
Because what these ideas really boil down to is simple: there should be no infringement on capital by government.
Hop, skip, and a jump from the reactionary,neoliberal pandemic response to right-to-work laws and support for free trade.
Hop, skip, and a jump from the reactionary,neoliberal pandemic response to right-to-work laws and support for free trade.
And unsurprisingly, the groups pushing the “hands off” pandemic response and fighting public health measures the hardest are business groups — the U.S. Chamber, ALEC, various Koch-affiliated groups, etc.
At the federal level, we've seen two administrations try largely hands-off pandemic responses and plenty of public-private partnerships. We've seen "individual choice!" dangled like red meat in the face of calls for greater governmental action.
Neoliberalism.
Neoliberalism.
So there is no confusion as to what we're talking about: theguardian.com/books/2016/apr…
Government needs to govern again and subordinate the interests of capital to the interests of the public.
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