Templates, typologies and typifications: neoliberalism as keyword. Issue 2 (4th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rowe, Emma; Lubienski, Christopher; Skourdoumbis, Andrew; Gerrard, Jessica; Hursh, David
• Is Part Of: Discourse. Volume 40:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 150
• Page End: 161
• Publication Date: 2019-03-04
• Subjects: Neoliberalism -- ordo-liberalism -- Foucault -- Fraser -- keyword: assemblage; Education -- Periodicals; Education -- Australia -- Periodicals; 370.5
• DOI: 10.1080/01596306.2019.1569875
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0159-6306

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Neoliberalism as a concept, ideology, or theoretical lens has emerged in the last couple of decades as a monolithic presence in education research, and the social sciences more broadly. We bring two aims to this Special Issue: to critique the rigour of neoliberalism as a theoretical framework utilised within education research; and second, to explore and propose an alternative to neoliberalism as a critical frame of analysis. This paper will postulate three-waves of neoliberalism, specifically ordo-liberalism, radical liberalism, and post-neoliberalism. We challenge 'big-N' neoliberalism; conceptualisations of neoliberalism as homogenous and monolithic; and, demonstrate how neoliberalism interacts with particular milieus of time and space. In reflection of Williams but also Foucault's tracing of 'discursive formations', neoliberalism as a keyword points to a genealogy of power which requires further excavation. The notion of an assemblage, enabling mutations and contra configurations, may offer a way forward.