Here I continue discussion of the book Neoliberalism’s Demons: The Political Theology of Late Capital by Adam Kotsko. Now I take up Chapter 3: Neoliberalism’s Demons (title of both the book and the chapter). If you have read the chapter, feel free to comment. If not, feel free to ask a question.
Much of this chapter is taken up with discussion of Christian theology which is interesting, of course, but not especially pertinent to the overall thesis of the book or chapter. I have serious qualms about some of what Kotsko says about “Christianity.” He seems to think that “Christianity” has been (and perhaps is) a factory of victims. Oh well, on to the last few pages where he says what he really means—about neoliberalism’s “demons.”
I think the thesis of the whole book is summarized in this sentence on page 89: “Neoliberalism makes demons of us all.” Why? Because, according to Kotsko, neoliberalism believes and teaches and acts upon the principle that “Only the weak will fail” (Trump). Another way of saying that is “If you fail, it is because you are weak.” It does not take into account “systemic forces beyond any individual’s control” (95) in society or the economy. On page 95 the author says that for neoliberalism “If you fail [in the economy of the free market] it is your fault and yours alone.”
Stop here to remind ourselves what “neoliberalism” refers to. Here, anyway, in this book and generally among scholars, “neoliberalism” refers to the belief that the free market cannot fail. That is, it is always right. Kind of like God in Calvinism: whatever it (he) does is right just because it (he) does it (voluntarism).
In other words, for political theologians like Kotsko, neoliberalism treats the free market as the ultimate reality, like God, only not God but god. All of life comes to revolve around it and the very purpose of human life is to compete within it. And neoliberals have faith that IF the free market is unhindered (which is what “free” means), the majority, or at least the worthy, will succeed and thrive.
Kotsko says on page 95: “Neoliberalism is, in sum, a totalizing world order, an integral self-reinforcing system of political theology, and it has progressively transformed our world into a living hell.” It is an “infernal system.” Why? Because it finds no meaning outside the dog-eat-dog economy and reduces all of us to drones. Some succeed and become billionaires, but so what? What is the meaning of being a billionaire? Neoliberalism is atomistically individualistic and that’s all there is.
Of course, Kotsko knows that some neoliberals confess belief in God and call themselves Christians. For example, Catholic theologian-turned-social philosopher Michael Novak, author of The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism. But Novak said, in a debate on Youtube, that in America ANYONE can get out of poverty in five years or less. Really? Capitalism in America is that magical? What about systemic oppression?
What about “demons?” Earlier in the chapter Kotsko went on a rant about “welfare queens” and how that language and imagery demonized single, mostly Black, mothers. It was a sign of neoliberalism’s demonizing effect. Now, as neoliberalism progresses, anyone who does not “get out of poverty” is demonized. Not only looked down upon, but considered bad, wrong, if not evil.
If you were put off by Kotsko’s rants about neoliberalism’s demons, as I was, somewhat, you might still accept his general argument that the free market, as defined by neoliberals, has the effect, if not the intention, of making the poor responsible for their poverty. Not just because they are “lazy” or “shiftless” but because they are beings nature, the free market, has chosen to damn. They are society’s “losers” and helping them through government means is contrary to the good and true and the right.
I already knew all about this philosophy before hearing it called “neoliberalism.” It is what Ayn Rand promoted in her novels and essays and on the Phil Donahue Show (and other venues). Read her novels in high school. It took me a while to realize what she was promoting, but now I realize it was and is neoliberalism. It is also Social Darwinism. And no one has stated it more succinctly than Trump: “Only the weak will fail.”
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