The rules of politics have broken | Jeremy Gilbert and Alex Williams

How did we come to live in a world dominated by big tech and finance? In this video, Jeremy Gilbert and Alex Williams explore how these forces have shaped the direction of politics and government as well as the neoliberal economy to benefit their own interests.
They discuss the concept of hegemony-the importance of passive consent; the complexity of political interests; and the structural force of technology-and why we need an updated theory of power for the twenty-first century.
Jeremy Gilbert and Alex Williams are the authors of Hegemony Now: How Big Tech and Wall Street Won the World (And How We Win it Back) www.versobooks...

[@metrohex]

Thank you for this.
We need more…..

[@KenjiSummers]

do the authors even critique themselves or position themselves within their work? i agree with much of this analysis but i need to know if the author “bleeds”.

[@carletonchristensen9971]

I am not sure that it is right to say that neo-liberalism (as represented by people like von Hayek, etc.) maintain that humans are _naturally_ in competition with one another. What distinguishes von Hayek et al., I think, from, e.g., Adam Smith, to whom they simultaneously appeal and distort, is the conviction that competition is an artifice which it is the job of the state, properly understood, to promote. Thus, it is consistent with neo-liberalism that one have quite a high degree of state intervention, not, however, to provide social services which the market persistently fails to deliver, but to create the conditions under which competition can flourish. For they believe that competition, as artificial as it is, leads to more efficient service delivery.
Note, incidentally, that it does follow from what I have just said that the natural condition of human individuals is something else, say, cooperation. For the whole point is deny any kind of appeal to what it is "natural" for humans to do. This distinguishes them from precisely Smith, whose work on and claims about competition cannot be understood properly without reference to his real masterpiece, "The Theory of Moral Sentiments."

[@carletonchristensen9971]

Later in the video the claim to which I am objecting is qualified somewhat.

[@andrewburridge5958]

I don't think these guys use neoliberalism very accurately. Sometimes they should be saying market libertarianism or extreme laissez-faire. As you say, neoliberalism will allow state intervention - Governments that support markets might also pursue high government debt (which is v different to a shrunken and absent state).

[@wallypally]

eh, up the unions

[@itsphilgeorge]

Appreciate the comment!
Big up to Theory of Moral Sentiment. I’ve never understood why Wealth of Nations gets all the recognition. TOMS for me is a far more foundational book.

[@andrewburridge5958]

Sound like conspiracy theorists - because your politics don't have popular support

[@Anthrax6989]

Typical modern conformist mindset: "The truth is what supported by masses".

[@wallypally]

it does have popular support. it just isnt framed in a set of way where it it is constantly attacked by blind neoliberals

[@dac314]

Two different comments, huh Andy? And I must say, your tone comes off as..."sneery and resentful" ahahahahaha

[@MrDavelongly]

Dismissed.....in your own mind. Remember, analysis depends on observable factual information and rational thinking. Much of this will be ahead of the curve of public opinion. Conspiracy theorists are happy to make up stuff in line with their fantasies and prejudices. Most of this takes hold in the shallow end of the gene pool.

[@andrewburridge5958]

@@wallypally or in a way that makes people vote for it
Vid sounds like Erich Fromm in The Sane Society back in the 50s, always the same moans about people not opting for socialism, they must be thick or being lied to or brainwashed

[@andrewburridge5958]

You guys always sound so sneery and resentful. Yes domination of Oxford and PPE is a shocking lack of diversity. But I'm sure it's a fairly decent degree 😂 you have to say people who do it come out knowing nothing. What degree do you recommend people do?

[@mxrkxo]

Thanks

[@welshaccenttutorials3104]

Passive consent: Aldous Huxley Brave New World...consent through pleasure

[@na976]

As to the point made around the 1:14:00 mark it’s also important to acknowledge that part of the reason people act against their own self interest in terms of choosing racist nationalist policy over socialist ones is over half a century of vehement denunciation of socialism as a school of thought and as an economic model.
Most right leaning people (and left leaning for that matter) have been thoroughly conditioned throughout the neoliberal era to be frightened of socialism or any solutions that stem from socialist thinking. There aren’t millions of Americans or Brits who yearn for a socialist revolution but can’t see it as feasible so as a backup they’re going to burn crosses. They’ve been convinced that the thing that is in their best interest is horrible and can only produce tyranny.