Prominent journalist George Monbiot delivered an engaging discussion on neoliberalism to a packed Bonar Hall this evening.
Monbiot, in conversation with Scottish-French journalist Assa Samaké-Roman, discussed the current global and national political climate, origins of neoliberalism, the current far-right threats, and the free-market; all topics which feature in his latest book The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism.
Broughty Ferry Book House were selling copies of the book, and after the event Monbiot hosted a Q&A and signing.
The talk opened by arguing that the UK Foster Care System is the epitome of neo-liberalism.
He said, “children of care are completely abandoned in the name of profit.”
Drawing on private-sectors which house foster-families in often poor homes, he emphasised that the system, with foster children often moving homes, was “the trading of human souls” with children as the “most vulnerable of them all.”
He argued that the treatment of vulnerable children reveals the “absolute horror” at the heart of neoliberal governance.
Monbiot then moved to discuss the very origins of neo-liberalism, and refuted stereotypes of ‘Reaganism’ and ‘Thatcherism’, (even though they grew neo-liberalism) they did not find the doctrine. In fact, neo-liberalism grew out the Walter Lippmann Colloquium in Paris 1938.
“What we call Thatcherism was straight out of neoliberal doctrine,” he said. “That is neoliberalism. That’s what it looks like. And that’s what we’ve still got.”
The talk was engaging and informative, with the hour breezing on as the audience remained intrigued with Monbiot’s line of thought.
On austerity, a phrase which gets thrown around a lot, but is not often fully understood, was unpacked. Monbiot said:
“Austerity should mean a decline in public services caused by a shortfall in funding,” Monbiot argued. “The government uses a definition which means absolutely nothing to people at the sharp end.”
Despite the vigour of the conversation, one woman noted that when asking a question that the hall was “full of activists” who “already agree” with Monbiot.
Despite this, Monbiot and Samaké-Roman’s discussion delivered a blistering critique of the free-market system, describing neoliberalism as “the disenchantment of politics by economics;” the belief that decisions should be made not by people, but by the market, treated as a “god‑like entity.”
But “the market,” he insisted, is a mere euphemism.
“There isn’t some god-like entity making this decision. There are some very ruthless people making themselves phenomenally rich. The market actually means the rich.”
Before taking questions from the audience, Monbiot warned that neoliberalism has reshaped not only politics but people’s sense of identity. Citizens have become consumers and online they have become commodities. He argued that this has led to mass loneliness and alienation, giving rise to authoritarian politics.
“The driving force of fascism is lonely, alienated young men,” he said.
Despite the intellectual insights, the talk was targeted at a niche audience. Although informative, it felt like one had to have read the book before the event, whilst typically it’s the other way round.
Despite drawing on echo-chambers and filter bubbles found on social media, the event itself felt like an echo-chamber; full of people who already agreed with each other, reinforcing pre-existing beliefs.
Monbiot’s book tour also visits Pitlochry, Edinburgh and Glasgow.