[W]hat counts as ‘realistic’, what seems possible at any…
![“[W]hat counts as ‘realistic’, what seems possible at any point in the social field, is defined by a series of political determinations. An ideological position can never be really successful until it is naturalized, and it cannot be naturalized while it is still thought of as a value rather than a…” quote by Mark Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/e92/mark-fisher-3649_capitalism_w-hat-counts-as-realistic-what-seems-pos_312976.jpg)
““[W]hat counts as ‘realistic’, what seems possible at any point in the social field, is defined by a series of political determinations. An ideological position can never be really successful until it is naturalized, and it cannot be naturalized while it is still thought of as a value rather than a fact. Accordingly, neoliberalism has sought to eliminate the very category of value in the ethical sense. Over the past thirty years, capitalist realism has successfully installed a ‘business ontology’ in which it is simply obvious that everything in society, including healthcare and education, should be run as a business. … [E]mancipatory politics must always destroy the appearance of a ‘natural order’, must reveal what is presented as necessary and inevitable to be a mere contingency, just as it must make what was previously deemed to be impossible seem attainable.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Neoliberalism turns values into facts, making everything appear as a natural business order; emancipatory politics must expose this illusion and show alternatives.
In simple terms: Capitalism hides values as facts; politics must reveal alternatives.
Key Takeaway
Expose hidden assumptions.
Themes
politics
neoliberalism
ideology
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
theoretical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- education
- healthcare
- activism
- public discourse
Key Concepts
naturalization
business ontology
contingency
Questions to Reflect On
- What ‘natural’ orders do you accept?
- How can alternatives be made visible?
A Different Perspective
Changing deep‑seated beliefs is slow and met resistance.