Capitalist realism operates through resignation, not ideological conversion to neoliberal ideas.

Evidence

Of course, that would happen, and this kind of threat plays a large part in the current mode of capitalist realism. In fact, this is pretty much a statement of what capitalist realism is at this time. But it presupposes that capital is the most powerful force on earth, and it’s this presupposition which needs to be undermined. How? By constituting a counter-force capable of disciplining capital. We’ve become used to a world in which workers fear capital, never the reverse. Capitalist realism has never been about direct ideological persuasion — it’s not that the population of the UK were ever convinced of the merits of neoliberal ideas. But what people have been convinced of is the idea that neoliberalism is the dominant force in the world, and that, consequently, there is little point resisting it. — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 2219

Categorization

• DEFINE: Sharpens Fisher’s core concept: capitalist realism is belief in capital’s untouchable dominance producing apathy, not persuasion of neoliberal merit.
• XREF: connects to: Communist realism means gradual deliberate resource-building, not awaiting revolution. — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk: The Collected and Unpublished…, 1816; People’s desire for generic homogeneity is a communist longing, not consumer conformity. — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk: The Collected and Unpublished…, 2201; Neo-anarchism is an effect of, not a challenge to, capitalist realism — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk: The Collected and Unpublished…, 1735 (+7 more)

Broader Connections

• Capitalist realism is belief in capital’s invincibility, not belief in its merits #expands (0.85) — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 2219
• Capitalist realism makes alternatives to capitalism unthinkable #expands (0.80) — Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism, 8
• Neo-anarchism is an effect of, not a challenge to, capitalist realism #expands (0.78) — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 1735
• Capitalist realism reflects social decomposition, not just individual persuasion. #expands (0.78) — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 1644
• Corporate anti-capitalism strengthens capitalist realism rather than challenging it. #exemplifies (0.78) — Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism, 29
• Ideological change operates by articulating and disarticulating ideas, not by substitution. #complicates (0.75) — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2, 131
• Capitalist realism requires materialist explanation, not individual psychology #qualifies (0.75) — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 1644
• Capitalist realism is a pathology of the left, not merely a right-wing imposition. #expands (0.75) — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 1643