Neoliberalism continuously polices individualism to prevent collectivity

Evidence

This only looks like a paradox if we take neoliberalism at its word — but neoliberalism is not classic liberalism. It is not about laissez faire. As Jeremy Gilbert, developing Foucault’s prescient analyses of neoliberalism, has argued, the neoliberal project was always about vigilantly policing a certain model of individualism; workers have to be continually surveilled for fear they might lapse into collectivity. — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 1725

Categorization

• DEFINE: Sharpens what distinguishes neoliberalism from classical laissez-faire liberalism.
• XREF: Echoes ch 32’s introjected permanent internal surveillance and the self-surveillance claims in ch 106. — connects to: Neoliberalism holds individual inviolability alongside managed manipulation of persons — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin: The Making…, 187; Neoliberalism’s ultimate ideal self is the autonomous self-made individual — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 430; Individualism becomes a defense of the status quo by delegitimizing group-based demands (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Neoliberalism holds individual inviolability alongside managed manipulation of persons #expands (0.85) — Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin, 187
• Neoliberalism framed itself as a defence of individual freedom against all collectivist systems. #contradicts (0.85)
• Individualism becomes a defense of the status quo by delegitimizing group-based demands #qualifies (0.80)
• Neoliberalism’s ultimate ideal self is the autonomous self-made individual #corroborates (0.75) — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 430
• Unchecked individualism destroys individuality rather than protecting it #complicates (0.75) — Theodor W. Adorno, Minima Moralia, 169