Exploring Faith in the Market and Neoliberal Ideology

Inspired by Chapter 26 of Eugene McCarraher’s The Enchantments of Mammon entitled “The New Testament of Capitalism,” I focus on the intellectuals whose ideas undergird the faith in the “free market.” Taking both the concept of faith and what these thinkers said seriously, it’s hard to miss that their perspective runs counter to the faith of people of the book (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) because it enchants the market with godlike and irresistible “laws of nature” and promises to solve all the world’s problems. Neoliberal capitalism is another ideology that, because it is ultimately a human invention, cannot deliver the grandiose benefits it promises, and yet requires of its believers more unquestioning reverence than any truly transcendent power asks of them.

For more from me: https://lauriemjohnson.com/ https://politicalphilosophy.video.blog/

iTunes podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-philosophy-dr-laurie-m-johnson/id1473457784

Interested in possible Summer 2021 seminars, one-time sessions, or reading groups? Please fill out this form to be put on the email list: https://forms.gle/WxikMpNx1M64GeTEA

Here’s the URL to the Political Philosophy Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/608141959786172/about/