Untimely Reflections #36: Tony of 1Dime - The Neoliberal Zeitgeist

In 'Anti-Oedipus,' Deleuze and Guattari critique the Freudian/Lacanian psychoanalytic model of the ego, particularly the Oedipus complex. They argue that human desire is not rooted in familial relationships but in broader socio-political contexts. The book introduces the concept of 'schizoanalysis,' a method aimed at freeing desire from capitalist and familial repression. It delves into the relationship between capitalism and schizophrenia, suggesting that capitalism exploits and commodifies desires rather than repressing them. The authors propose a radical analysis that synthesizes political economy and psychology, introducing concepts such as desiring-machines, deterritorialization, and the body-without-organs[1][3][4].

In 'Listen, Liberal', Thomas Frank argues that the Democratic Party has abandoned its historic commitment to the working and middle classes, instead aligning itself with the interests of the professional class. Frank contends that this shift has led to increased economic inequality, as policies favoring Wall Street and corporate interests have become more prevalent. He criticizes Democratic presidents such as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama for their adherence to free-market policies and their reliance on advice from Ivy League-educated elites. The book also discusses the 2016 presidential election and how the Democratic Party's failure to address economic inequality contributed to the rise of populist candidates like Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders.