There are social problems to which neoliberalism has no adequate answer. For neoliberalism, man is primarily a homo economicus, an individual consumer.
That he is also a social being receives little attention from a neoliberal point of view. As a result, the priority in politics is on the economy and the growth of the economy.
And if we then look at the social concerns of the citizens, we have been seeing the same list for about ten years.
The concern for economic well-being is not in the top ten, but the concern for social well-being is, as we discussed in the previous lecture:
the increasing hardening and coarsening in society, increasing anti-social behavior. increasing intolerance.
That takes us to a second issue that threatens the sense of community. We see it in countless European countries and also in the United States: the arrival of immigrants in our country, regardless which country.
The arrival of the immigrants always leads to the same reactions: they have to adapt to the culture of the country, they do not integrate sufficiently,
they threaten our culture and traditions, we, the natives, have to adapt to the culture they bring with them instead of the other way around, etc.
Of course, Islam is the primary threat. The result is that there are two one-issue parties in the Dutch parliament
which are vehemently against the Islamization of the Netherlands. Of the 150 parliament seats, 22 are currently occupied by these parties,
Turks, Spaniards, Italians were invited to the Netherlands in the 1960s and later for purely economic reasons, in the expectation
that they would return to their own country after work was done. However, many stayed and the first generation often still does't speak Dutch.
Now there are also the refugees and especially the category who flee their country for economic reasons, in other words, poverty and hunger.
The consequence: the community feels that their national identity is under threat. In fact, you see a similar trend in the United States.
The slogans "America First" and "Make America Great again" refer implicitly to WHITE America. The white community feels threatened in its identity.
That explains part of the outgoing president's success.
Yesterday I followed through a live stream of MSNBC all the complications around and in the Capitol
and what struck me the most was that the protesters who entered the building were mainly white men. That tells us enough, I think.
A better economy and economic growth will not solve these problems.
Thank you for your attention again....
The Discussion
[13:19] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): Thank you Herman
[13:19] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): no question on that
[13:20] engacia: thank you, professor. my sentiments, exactly.
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): it has been noticed
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): racism and xenophobia is the main drive then
[13:20] herman Bergson: Thank you engacia :-)
[13:20] herman Bergson: Yes Bejiita.....
[13:21] herman Bergson: But it goes deeper....
[13:21] herman Bergson: our mental handicap is that we are so inclined to think in terms of US and THEM
[13:21] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah
[13:21] herman Bergson: This primitive binairy thinking
[13:22] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that we could se clearly yesterday for sure
[13:22] herman Bergson: It relates to the increasing intolerance, people notice these days
[13:22] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): shudders
[13:23] herman Bergson: Most people are OK, however....but the course of our individualistic culture gets in the way, it seems
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm true
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): it all falls together like a jigsaw
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): all the factors
[13:25] herman Bergson: But keep in mind.....the title of the present project is the AWAKINING from a neoliberal dream
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): waits to see how the finished Brexit wil deal with neo liberalism
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa indeed
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): or vv
[13:26] herman Bergson: Yes Gemma, that move was a classic move towards the good old times.....for the British
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): will be interesting
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): see how it goes
[13:26] herman Bergson: They believe their sense of community will be reinforced by the Brexit
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): that is why it will be interesting
[13:27] CB Axel: I don't think the Scots are feeling a sense of community with the English.
[13:27] CB Axel: And never really did.
[13:27] herman Bergson: They will discover that they are just one of the countries on this earth...nothing special
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): or Ireland really
[13:27] herman Bergson: Indeed
[13:27] CB Axel: You mean the Northern Irish?
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and then they will have a cup of tea and relax
[13:27] herman Bergson: The Scots wanted to stay with the EU
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): lol
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:28] herman Bergson: it looks like a paradox....
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm a bit yes for sure
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and also watches china and neo lib
[13:29] herman Bergson: on the one hand people are worried about the detoriation of the sense of community and on the other hand you see the claim of being a community in nationalistic thoughts and ideas
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): the way they are using it
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): all over the world actually
[13:30] herman Bergson: China will be a new chapter in our history
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
\[13:31] herman Bergson: the US lost its standing as THE example of democracy.....
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): hopes we will get it back
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aa yes
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): but wont be easy
[13:31] herman Bergson: So they can't point anymore at anti democratic behavior of the Chinese
[13:31] CB Axel: What country will be the example of democracy?
[13:31] CB Axel: Not China
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and that it will be restored to the better
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): no
[13:32] herman Bergson: I guess good old Europe could be CB :-)
[13:32] CB Axel: With the nationalism growing in places like the Netherlands and Germany?
[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well no one want anything to do with Chinese companies any more claiming they all spy for the government
[13:32] herman Bergson: The Europeans invebted democracy...John Locke.....
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): there is taht tooo cb
[13:33] herman Bergson: Yes, that is a threat CB!
[13:33] CB Axel: I'm thinking we may have to look at some countries in Africa. I think there are one or two that are doing well.
[13:33] CB Axel: I'd have to look into that some more.
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): true
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): would be nice if Africa could really kick off
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and not be so poor any longer
[13:34] herman Bergson: Democratic rule was an export product of Europe :-)
[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): some countries are
[13:34] CB Axel: Looking only at the US and Europe is racist, isn't it?
[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): some countries are not poor anymore
[13:34] CB Axel: Canada is white and good example. :)
[13:35] engacia: Canada is run by a communist dictator
[13:35] herman Bergson: That must be racist too CB ^_^
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): well indigenous issues a huge issue there
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): communist ????
[13:35] herman Bergson: A communist dictator, engacia?
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): no way
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): progressive yes
[13:35] CB Axel: That's true, Gemma, but I think they're starting to address those issues.
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): they have admitted the need of much attention
[13:36] engacia: yes, his father was proven to be Fidel Castro and his pseudo was a communist, as well. He has allowed the Chinese army to train in canada and to protect it's commercial holdings
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): OMG!!!
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): omg
[13:37] CB Axel: OK.
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ruler of Canada is son to Fidel Castro?
[13:37] CB Axel: Qanon much?
[13:39] herman Bergson: Well...at least we can say that the political priorities of neoliberalism aren't of much help for the social concerns we have discussed so far
[13:39] engacia: nods
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): very true
[13:39] herman Bergson: increasing intolerance, loss off sense of community and the next problem will be the increasing gap between rich and poor people
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm indeed
[13:40] herman Bergson: So, we deserve a pleasant weekend now....
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): those are big problems that have to be managed and improved/equalized
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): as i said, we need a new Robin Hood
[13:41] herman Bergson: Georgia turned Blue, the senate 50/50....gonna be an interesting weekend :-))
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): not really blue
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): purple
[13:41] herman Bergson: `Unless you still have that burning question or remark......
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ok
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): but blue enough
[13:42] herman Bergson: blueish, Gemma :-))
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ok
[13:42] CB Axel: If everyone who is legal to vote would vote, I think it would be a purple on the blue end of the spectrum.
[13:43] bergfrau Apfelbaum: Thank you Herman and class!
[13:43] CB Axel: Trump helped the left out in Georgia by convincing his voters that their votes don't count, so they didn't try.
[13:43] herman Bergson: They say that when you had no Electoral College you never ever would have a Republican majority in the US
[13:43] CB Axel: Thank you, Herman. Nice discussion, class. :)
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well this was interesting
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): should we see which color win the challenge!
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): * PLUPP *
[13:43] herman Bergson: Thank you all again for your participation :-)
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:43] engacia: Thank you, Professor. I always enjoy your teachings and sharing. I only wish I could come more often
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): how much more are we going to discuss neo lib?
[13:44] herman Bergson: You're always welcome Engacia
[13:44] CB Axel: Until we save the world, Gemma. :)
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): here i mean
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): needed more then ever now
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:44] herman Bergson: Yes CB,still a lot of work to do :-)
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): oh dear
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ok
[13:45] herman Bergson: You're done with the subject Gemma?
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): it will overlap any other subject anyway from now on
[13:46] herman Bergson: Well...maybe I'll skip a lot of subjects and go to the final conclusion sooner...^_^
[13:46] engacia: :)
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): oh dear not necessary
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): will involve other topics with it
[13:47] herman Bergson: I'll have a look into it :-)
[13:47] CB Axel: I don't know. It seems like there could be a lot more relevant discussion on it.
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): easy to go sideways
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): true
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): I think I wish it had another name
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): hearing liberal too much
[13:47] herman Bergson: Well...I was considering the subject of Economic Growth....that idiotic belief we have
[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): it is quite broad thats true
[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): when I think of it
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): that makes sense
[13:48] herman Bergson: Because that is the core of the N.....word :-)
[13:48] herman Bergson: Don't dare to use it anymore ^+^
[13:48] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ha
[13:48] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): lol
[13:48] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): which word is that Herman?
[13:49] herman Bergson: neoli.......and so on :-)
[13:49] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): neoliberal?
[13:49] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ha
[13:49] herman Bergson: Wont like to embarrass Gemma :-)
[13:49] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:49] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:49] engacia: Economic Growth is the core of the n word?
[13:49] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed
[13:49] engacia: ...professor?
[13:50] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): he is trying to wash it i think
[13:50] herman Bergson whispers: n word = neoliberalism
[13:50] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): not really the core
[13:50] engacia: ah
[13:50] engacia: true
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