In the recent economic theory debate, neoliberalism is generally interpreted as a mere regulatory device which, by freeing the markets from interference by public authorities and organized interests, promotes an effective coordination of the behavior of atomized and self-interested individuals. The reconstruction of the foundational moments of neoliberal thought provided in this essay testifies however that its pioneers were very skeptical about this anthropological hypothesis. Hayek, Ropke and other members of the neo-liberal group draw agents always poised between selfish motivations and indulgence towards “particolaristic” solidarities. They are therefore fundamentally skeptical about the power of the competition mechanism to effectively coordinate operators with so weak individualistic instincts. In the light of this theoretical perspective, competition cannot establish a stable order if its work is not supported by an "individualistic pedagogy”. That is, individuals must be forced to take competitive pressures exclusively on their shoulders and to take direct action to repel their threats. Neoliberal policies must therefore not simply protect the working of the market, but also gradually dismantle intermediate communities, so as to weaken their ability to protect its members from insecurity.
Nel recente dibattito di teoria economica, la categoria di neoliberismo viene generalmente utilizzata nel senso di un mero dispositivo di regolazione finalizzato a liberare i mercati dalle interferenze dei pubblici poteri e degli interessi organizzati, in modo da favorire l’efficace coordinamento dei comportamenti di individui atomizzati e autointeressati. Tuttavia, la ricostruzione dei momenti fondativi del pensiero neoliberista fornita in questo saggio documenta che i suoi iniziatori erano assai scettici nei riguardi di questa ipotesi antropologica. Hayek, Ropke ed altri membri del collettivo neoliberista descrivono agenti economici sempre in bilico tra motivazioni egoistiche e l’indulgenza verso forme di solidarietà “particolaristiche”, e sono quindi fondamentalmente scettici circa la capacità del meccanismo della concorrenza di coordinare efficacemente operatori dagli istinti individualistici tanto instabili. Alla luce di questa prospettiva teorica, la concorrenza non può fondare un ordine stabile se il loro operare non viene coadiuvato da una efficace “pedagogia individualista”. In altre parole, gli individui devono essere costretti a prendere esclusivamente sulle proprie spalle la pressione della concorrenza e ad attivarsi in prima persona per respingerne le minacce. Le politiche neoliberiste devono quindi non soltanto proteggere il funzionamento del mercato, ma anche gradualmente smantellare le comunità intermedie, attenuandone la capacità di proteggere i propri membri dall’insicurezza esistenziale.
Appunti per una genealogia del neoliberismo
Salvatore D'Acunto
2020
Abstract
In the recent economic theory debate, neoliberalism is generally interpreted as a mere regulatory device which, by freeing the markets from interference by public authorities and organized interests, promotes an effective coordination of the behavior of atomized and self-interested individuals. The reconstruction of the foundational moments of neoliberal thought provided in this essay testifies however that its pioneers were very skeptical about this anthropological hypothesis. Hayek, Ropke and other members of the neo-liberal group draw agents always poised between selfish motivations and indulgence towards “particolaristic” solidarities. They are therefore fundamentally skeptical about the power of the competition mechanism to effectively coordinate operators with so weak individualistic instincts. In the light of this theoretical perspective, competition cannot establish a stable order if its work is not supported by an "individualistic pedagogy”. That is, individuals must be forced to take competitive pressures exclusively on their shoulders and to take direct action to repel their threats. Neoliberal policies must therefore not simply protect the working of the market, but also gradually dismantle intermediate communities, so as to weaken their ability to protect its members from insecurity.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.