Polianiac

Paradigm shifts are painful. They play out in societies and cultures like a large seismic event, shaking the very foundation these institutions are built upon. I believe much of the angst experienced today by citizens of the United States is the direct result of paradigm shift—the quiet clash of conflicting ideologies as to the role of government in the 21st Century.

This concept is not small and it certainly is not easy. It does not lend itself to posts on a blog, or single articles in magazines and journals. The 20^thcentury enactment of Neoliberalism as a global movement has not received much attention in the mainstream—it has quietly remained the subject matter for academics and the secret weapon of a few well placed political actors.

Last week, President Bush announced plans for assisting the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac programs.  Many U.S. citizens expressed a huge range of reactions, from dismay to shock and anger. This anger, this non-understanding of why our government would see fit to insert itself into the whole Freddie/Fannie crisis is symptomatic of this paradigmatic shift that has been taking place over the past few decades… This week I will reluctantly join in the discourse. 

I truly wish we were not at this place—a place where I feel compelled to talk about Neoliberalism and its American counterpart Neoconservativism, but we are. There is no narcissistic delusion at play here…merely the conviction that I know I don’t have all the answers, but I do know a little about the subject. I also know that Polianiac can not face herself in the mirror if she does not at least speak up and say something…

Mondays are never easy and this one is exceptionally painful. It is going to be a long week and to that end, let the work begin…For a start see David Harvey’s A Brief History of Neoliberalism (2005). Again, be warned—it is painful; but honestly, how many chances do you really believe we are going to get on this?

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