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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:South African neoliberalism: the antipolitics democrats
Author:Blatchford, MathewISNI
Year:1997
Periodical:Current Writing: Text and Reception in Southern Africa
Volume:9
Issue:2
Pages:98-111
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:liberalism
liberal parties
Abstract:Neoliberals argue that there are no human rights or natural laws in society, only a collection of individuals driven by self-interest. The only proper economic system is free market capitalism. Neoliberalism cannot be ignored because it is so powerful - although it is often hard to perceive because it is entrenched in the discourse of modern business. The success of neoliberalism has gained attention for it in South Africa, where many aspects of liberal tradition offered fertile ground for neoliberalism. In order to examine the aims and practices of neoliberals in South Africa today, the author considers two major neoliberal tracts: 'The liberal slideaway' (1995), by Jill Wentzel, and 'Growth for all' (1996), by the South Africa Foundation. The author shows that neoliberalism may be powerful even when neoliberals are not in power. Many pressure groups, as of early 1997, demand neoliberal panaceas: 'tough action' on crime, 'raised standards' in education, 'efficiency' in health. The conclusion is that neoliberal discourse is deceptive, providing confidence-building rhetoric for questionable positions. The panaceas mentioned have not been shown to offer solutions to South Africa's problems; this is simply claimed, continually, by elements in the English-language media and the Democratic Party. Bibliogr.
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