The Return of Ordinary Capitalism

Neoliberalism, Precarity, Occupy

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, Social Services & Welfare, Government, Social Policy
Cover of the book The Return of Ordinary Capitalism by Sanford F. Schram, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Sanford F. Schram ISBN: 9780190463830
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: October 5, 2015
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Sanford F. Schram
ISBN: 9780190463830
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: October 5, 2015
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

As Frances Fox Piven and Richard Cloward argued in the early seventies, in a capitalist economy, social welfare policies alternatingly serve political and economic ends as circumstances dictate. In moments of political stability, governments emphasize a capitalistic work ethic (even if it means working a job that will leave one impoverished); when times are less politically stable, states liberalize welfare policies to recreate the conditions for political acquiescence. Sanford Schram argues in this new book that each shift produces its own path dependency even as it represents yet another iteration of what he (somewhat ironically) calls "ordinary capitalism," where the changes in market logic inevitably produce changes in the structure of the state. In today's ordinary capitalism, neoliberalism is the prevailing political-economic logic that has contributed significantly to unprecedented levels of inequality in an already unequal society. As the new normal, neoliberalism has marketization of the state as a core feature, heightening the role of economic actors, especially financiers, in shaping public policy. The results include increased economic precarity among the general population, giving rise to dramatic political responses on both the Left and the Right (Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party in particular). Schram examines neoliberalism's constraints on politics as well as social and economic policy and gives special attention to the role protest politics plays in keeping alive the possibilities for ordinary people to exercise political agency. The Return of Ordinary Capitalism concludes with political strategies for working through--rather than around--neoliberalism via a radical, rather than status-quo-reinforcing, incrementalism.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

As Frances Fox Piven and Richard Cloward argued in the early seventies, in a capitalist economy, social welfare policies alternatingly serve political and economic ends as circumstances dictate. In moments of political stability, governments emphasize a capitalistic work ethic (even if it means working a job that will leave one impoverished); when times are less politically stable, states liberalize welfare policies to recreate the conditions for political acquiescence. Sanford Schram argues in this new book that each shift produces its own path dependency even as it represents yet another iteration of what he (somewhat ironically) calls "ordinary capitalism," where the changes in market logic inevitably produce changes in the structure of the state. In today's ordinary capitalism, neoliberalism is the prevailing political-economic logic that has contributed significantly to unprecedented levels of inequality in an already unequal society. As the new normal, neoliberalism has marketization of the state as a core feature, heightening the role of economic actors, especially financiers, in shaping public policy. The results include increased economic precarity among the general population, giving rise to dramatic political responses on both the Left and the Right (Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party in particular). Schram examines neoliberalism's constraints on politics as well as social and economic policy and gives special attention to the role protest politics plays in keeping alive the possibilities for ordinary people to exercise political agency. The Return of Ordinary Capitalism concludes with political strategies for working through--rather than around--neoliberalism via a radical, rather than status-quo-reinforcing, incrementalism.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book The Magic Lantern by Sanford F. Schram
Cover of the book Bounded Rationality and Industrial Organization by Sanford F. Schram
Cover of the book The Infectious Microbe by Sanford F. Schram
Cover of the book The History of Music Production by Sanford F. Schram
Cover of the book When Doctors Become Patients by Sanford F. Schram
Cover of the book Social Work Profession: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Sanford F. Schram
Cover of the book Longitudinal Developments in Vocabulary Knowledge and Lexical Organization by Sanford F. Schram
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Food Ethics by Sanford F. Schram
Cover of the book Discourses on Livy by Sanford F. Schram
Cover of the book The New Grove Guide to Wagner and His Operas by Sanford F. Schram
Cover of the book Dravidian Syntax and Universal Grammar by Sanford F. Schram
Cover of the book Guns or Butter : The Presidency of Lyndon Johnson by Sanford F. Schram
Cover of the book Ottoman Empire and Islam: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Sanford F. Schram
Cover of the book Confederate Emancipation by Sanford F. Schram
Cover of the book Humanitarian Ethics by Sanford F. Schram
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy