Neutral liberal states channel citizens toward one homogeneous capitalist form of life.

Evidence

In Rosa’s view this is precisely the case in modern liberal polities, not as a positive result of state action, but because they are embedded in capitalist socioeconomic orders. For this reason, the apparently extensive and endlessly celebrated individual liberty that is supposedly ensured by the neutral or impartial norms of liberal constitutions leads to a surprisingly homogeneous and limited set of realized possibilities with regard to conceptions of the good, possible careers, educational options, personality structures, consumption choices, leisure activities, and family structure, among others. “Liberal freedom” ironically turns out to go hand in hand with “capitalist necessity.” This reality is occluded by the usual state-centric focus of the “right versus good” debate in mainstream political philosophy. — Hartmut Rosa, Social Acceleration, 44

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The national state flipped from acceleration engine to braking obstacle. — Hartmut Rosa, Social Acceleration: A New Theory of…, 547; Even functioning democracy requires publics that stay put in place. — Hartmut Rosa, Social Acceleration: A New Theory of…, 712; Liberal state neutrality presupposes cultural homogeneity among the governed — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2: Identity…, 358 (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• Liberal state neutrality presupposes cultural homogeneity among the governed #qualifies (0.90) — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2, 358
• Class equilibrium creates the appearance of a neutral, autonomous state #expands (0.85)
• The liberal state, defined by economic individualism, generates monopoly concentration on its own. #qualifies (0.80)
• Modern capitalist societies experience themselves as pluralistic rather than unified #contradicts (0.80)
• Formal liberal citizenship equality masks an assimilationist strategy #corroborates (0.80)
• Liberal autonomy is class-stratified and state-regulated rather than universal #qualifies (0.75)
• Postwar liberal revivalists framed state intervention as a neutral arbiter protecting market rules #qualifies (0.75) — Angus Burgin, The Great Persuasion, 194