J.M. Coetzee and Neoliberal Culture

J. M. Coetzee's book presents a complex, nuanced counterblast to contemporary, global, neoliberal economics and its societies. It identifies and focuses on key features of neoliberal culture, such as its obsession with self-enrichment, mastery, growth, belief in plenitude, endless resources, hubris, obsession with (self)-promotion, desire for ease and easiness, fetishization of managerial reason, and the culture of security. By contrast, Coetzee's writings explore the virtues of irony and self-reduction, committing himself to difficulty, discomfort, patient and austere inquiry, rigorous questioning, and radical doubt.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This book presents J. M. Coetzee's work as a complex and nuanced counterblast to contemporary, global, neoliberal economics and its societies. Given his many years in South Africa and Australia, Coetzee writes from a 'global-Southern perspective. Drawing on a wealth of literature, philosophy, and theory, the book reads Coetzee's writings as a discreet, oblique but devastating engagement with neoliberal presumptions. It identifies and focuses on various key features of neoliberal culture: its obsession with self-enrichment, mastery, growth; its belief in plenitude, endless resources; its hubris and obsession with (self)-promotion; its desire for ease and easiness, 'well-being, euphoria; its fetishization of managerial reason and the culture of security; its unrelenting positivity, its belief in illusory goods and trivial progressivisms. By contrast, Coetzee's writings explore the virtues of irony and self-reduction. He commits himself to difficulty, discomfort, patient, and austere, if bleak, inquiry, rigorous questioning, and radical doubt. Destitution and failure come to look like a serious, dignified form of life and thought. The very tones of Coetzee's books run counter to those of our neoliberal democracies. They point in a different direction to an age that has gone astray.

Introduction:

In his influential works, J. M. Coetzee has critically examined the impact of neoliberal economics and its societies on human life. Not surprisingly, given his extensive experience in South Africa and Australia, Coetzee approaches his writing from a 'global-Southern perspective. Through a comprehensive analysis of a wide range of literature, philosophy, and theory, this book seeks to understand Coetzee's writings as a subtle but powerful critique of neoliberal assumptions.

Neoliberal Culture:

One of the central themes of Coetzee's work is the obsession with self-enrichment, mastery, and growth. Neoliberal culture values individualism, competitiveness, and the pursuit of personal gain at the expense of collective well-being. Coetzee's characters often struggle with the consequences of this culture, as they are pressured to conform to its demands and abandon their values and beliefs.

Plenitude and Endless Resources:

Another key feature of neoliberal culture is its belief in plenitude, endless resources, and the potential for endless growth. Coetzee's characters often confront the limitations of this belief, as they realize that resources are finite and that growth cannot be sustained indefinitely. This realization leads to a sense of disillusionment and despair, as individuals are forced to confront the harsh realities of their existence.

Hubris and Self-Promotion:

Neoliberal culture is characterized by a sense of hubris and obsession with self-promotion. Coetzee's characters are often portrayed as individuals who are driven by their egos and desire for fame and recognition. They are willing to compromise their principles and values to achieve their goals, often at the expense of others.

Desire for Ease and Euphoria:

Neoliberal culture values ease and easiness, promoting the idea that happiness and well-being can be achieved through consumption and material possessions. Coetzee's characters often struggle with the emptiness and superficiality of this pursuit, as they realize that genuine happiness and fulfillment cannot be found in material possessions alone.

Fetishization of Managerial Reason and the Culture of Security:

Neoliberal culture is heavily influenced by managerial reason and the culture of security. Coetzee's characters often confront the limitations of this approach, as they recognize that it prioritizes efficiency and productivity over creativity and innovation. This leads to a sense of dissatisfaction and frustration, as individuals are unable to fully express their individuality and creativity.

Unrelenting Positivity and Illusory Goods:

Neoliberal culture is characterized by an unrelenting positivity and belief in illusory goods. Coetzee's characters often confront the false promises and empty promises of this culture, as they realize that the pursuit of wealth and success is not always accompanied by happiness and fulfillment.

Contrasting Vices of Irony and Self-Reduction:

In contrast to the vices of neoliberal culture, Coetzee's writings explore the virtues of irony and self-reduction. He commits himself to difficulty, discomfort, patient, and austere inquiry, rigorous questioning, and radical doubt. Coetzee's characters often face destitution and failure, but they do so with a sense of dignity and purpose. They recognize that these experiences can be a source of learning and growth, leading to a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this book presents J. M. Coetzee's work as a complex and nuanced counterblast to contemporary, global, neoliberal economics and its societies. Coetzee's writings offer a critical perspective on the values and assumptions that underpin neoliberal culture, challenging readers to question the dominant narratives and ideologies that shape our world. By exploring the virtues of irony and self-reduction, Coetzee's characters demonstrate that there is a different way to live and think, one that is more aligned with the realities of our existence and the challenges we face as a society.

Weight: 588g
Dimension: 240 x 160 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198857914