Against Quote by Mark Fisher
“Neoliberalism emerged by defining itself against what it labelled as an unrealistic and unsustainable programme of social welfare and public spending.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Capitalist Realism, 2009
Neoliberalism defines itself by opposing expansive welfare, casting it as unrealistic and unsustainable.
In simple terms: It opposes big social programs as impractical.
Key Takeaway
Question the assumptions behind welfare critiques.
Themes
politics
economics
ideology
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
economic
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- academic research
- public discourse
- activism
Key Concepts
Neoliberal critique
social welfare
public spending
Questions to Reflect On
- How does framing welfare as unrealistic affect policy?
- What alternatives exist to neoliberal narratives?
A Different Perspective
The critique may overlook benefits of targeted welfare.
![“[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/quotes/img-quotes/e92/mark-fisher-3649_capitalism_w-hat-counts-as-realistic-what-seems-pos_312976.jpg)
![“[Canada's social welfare system is] an overgenerous reinsurance policy for an underachieving people.” quote by Conrad Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/de2/conrad-black-11016_people_canada-s-social-welfare-system-is-an-ove_226996.jpg)
