Neoliberalism and Social Justice

Abstract

This Chapter begins with a discussion of neo-liberal scholars who have engendered a new vision of economic development that undermines the Rights to Development agenda. Since the 1980s, almost all nation states have followed a development path that has neo-liberalism as its theoretical underpinning and which promotes market-led development through measures such as free trade, privatisation and minimal state intervention. This does not necessarily sit comfortably with the role of the state to deliver and enforce access to rights in line with Article 3 of the Right to Development, and Article 25.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that specify that

Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical and necessary social services, and the rights to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widow¬hood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. (UN, 1948: 9)

Capitalism can make a society rich and keep it free. Don’t ask it to make you happy as well. Capitalism can make you well off. And it also leaves you free to be as unhappy as you choose. To ask any more of it would be asking too much.

(The Economist, 23 December 2006, Editorial: 1)

About 400 farmers in India’s most prosperous state, Maharashtra, have committed suicide this year as a result of failed crops, import competition and crippling interest payments, a farm lobby group Shetkari Sangathana, said yesterday. Farmers suicides have been on the rise due to poor harvests and trade liberalisation.

(The Guardian, Saturday 3 December 2005)