June 24
GUEST: Aldo Madariaga, assistant professor of political science at the Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago de Chile, associate researcher of the Center for Social Conflict and Cohesion Studies, and author of "Neoliberal Resilience," talks about the dangers to democracy that this economic system poses.
Neoliberal Resilience | Princeton University Press
Aldo put together the pieces of neoliberalism for our listeners. It is an evolving concept, like a boa constrictor always tightening its grip. One might call it Capitalism, but it is more than that. Neoliberalism knows no boundaries when it comes to making a profit. It is the triumph of philosophy over our more common emotions like empathy and the need for justice.
How societies get taken over by neoliberalism is a worthwhile exploration. So to is the end result of such societies. When the very rich take over all decision making, there is usually a revolt from the workers. That revolt is often co-opted by the billionaire class, that ends up funding racist demagogues as a way to hold onto their riches. Perhaps our fears of Trump are misdirected. It is leaders like Clinton and Obama who have actually paved the way for the collapse of our democracy.
Trump is replaceable, but our broken system is not. When enough people lose faith, our government will fall, along with both its corporate run political parties. I think we came much closer to that point on January 6. And that seminal moment will come again, as neoliberalism tightens its grip a little bit more.
