Neoliberalism and The Environmental Issues

1209 Words3 Pages

Throughout the course of the semester, neoliberalism is a concept that is continuously reflected within the literature. Neoliberalism is a set of political-economic practices that proposes human well-being can best be advanced by deregulation of the economy, privatization, private property rights, lower government spending on social services, and by free trade/country can’t impose tariffs. Neoliberalism connects In the Shadow of Melting Glaciers, Planet of Slums, and Forest Guardians Forest Destroyers. There is multiple evidence throughout each of these pieces of literature that show many examples of the concept neoliberalism and how it’s a useful way to frame the environmental issues under investigation in these areas focused in the books.
“Neoliberal” is a term used to reference aspects of a free market capitalist economy. For a market to be titled as truly free, there isn’t any government or state instituted regulation such as taxes, minimum wage requirements, etc., and no barriers to the natural forces of supply and demand. As stated earlier, neoliberalism is practices that are political-economic that propose human well-being through a series of methods. Neoliberalism is a title for economic liberalism whose advocates support privatization, economic liberalizations, free trade/open markets, deregulation, and enhancing the role of the private sector in modern society. Neoliberalism is shown to be the essential key for global trade and investment for all nations to prosper and develop fairly and equitably. Starting in the second half of the 20th century, neoliberalism became increasingly prominent as a form of governance in countries around the world (Peters 2001). In the most recent time, there has been a revival o...

... middle of paper ...

...in developing countries. This concept is almost a guarantee in most environmental issues. Most people don’t have the slightest clue how major companies and international donor dollars and programs are effecting countries, all they see are the positives coming out of it. This in terms can be a positive side and negative aspect of using the concept. It’s nice to be educated about the issues that are occurring but in the same sense, you kind of wish you didn’t know what is happening after you have read about it. Not only is neoliberalism a concept that can be used in almost any given environmental issue, this concept can be applied productively to create more inclusive and just social and environmental futures.

Works Cited

Peters, Michael A. 2001. Poststructuralism, Marxism and Neoliberalism: Between Theory and Politics. New York: Rowman and Littlefield.

Open Document