The New Way of the World

The New Way of the World examines how neoliberalism has become the defining rationality of our time, shaping human behavior and institutions far beyond economics. The authors trace neoliberalism's evolution from its origins to its current form as a comprehensive worldview that governs both public policy and individual conduct. Through analysis of key theorists like Hayek and Friedman, the book demonstrates how neoliberal thought transformed from a critique of state planning into a positive vision for reorganizing society. The text explores how market competition became the model for human relations and self-understanding. Drawing on extensive research, Dardot and Laval reveal the ways neoliberal rationality has reshaped education, work, and personal life through new forms of competition and self-management. The work maps the expansion of market principles into domains previously guided by other values and logics. The book offers critical insights into how contemporary power operates by promoting specific forms of subjectivity and behavior rather than through direct coercion. Its analysis helps explain the persistence of neoliberal practices despite their apparent failures and contradictions.

Readers note this as a dense theoretical analysis of neoliberalism that requires significant academic background to fully grasp. Many highlight its detailed examination of Foucault's work and governmental concepts. Likes: - Comprehensive historical analysis of neoliberal thought - Clear connections between theory and current political realities - Strong critique of neoliberal rationality - Thorough documentation and research Dislikes: - Complex academic language makes it inaccessible - Translation from French feels clunky at times - Length and repetition of certain points - Assumes familiarity with political philosophy concepts One reader on Goodreads states: "Not for beginners...requires substantial background in political theory to follow the arguments." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (77 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (11 reviews) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (6 ratings) Most academic reviewers recommend it for graduate-level study rather than general readers.

Undoing the Demos by Wendy Brown A genealogical analysis of how neoliberal rationality transforms democratic principles into economic metrics and market logic.

The Birth of Biopolitics by Michel Foucault The foundational lectures that trace the historical emergence of neoliberal governmentality and its impact on subject formation.

Capital in the Twenty-First Century by Thomas Piketty An examination of how neoliberal economic policies create wealth concentration and transform social relations through market mechanisms.

The Making of the Indebted Man by Maurizio Lazzarato A philosophical investigation of how debt functions as a mechanism of control and subjectification in neoliberal societies.

Critique of Economic Reason by André Gorz A theoretical exploration of how economic rationality colonizes social life and reshapes human relationships under capitalism.

🔸 The book's original French title is "La nouvelle raison du monde" (2009), which directly translates to "The New Reason of the World," offering a slightly different perspective than its English title. 🔸 Authors Dardot and Laval argue that neoliberalism isn't just an economic policy but a complete rationality that shapes how we think about ourselves, transforming individuals into "enterprise-units." 🔸 The work draws heavily on Michel Foucault's lectures at the Collège de France, particularly his concept of "governmentality," while expanding and updating his analysis for the 21st century. 🔸 Pierre Dardot is a philosopher and Christian Laval is a sociologist; their different academic backgrounds allowed them to analyze neoliberalism from both philosophical and sociological perspectives. 🔸 The book has become a cornerstone text in the study of neoliberalism, particularly influential in Latin America where it has sparked numerous academic debates and social movements.