Globalism: The New Market Ideology

by Manfred B. Steger

The New Market Ideology rejects the notion that we find ourselves at the end of ideology and that democracy has won. Instead, Steger argues that the opening decade of the 21st century will constitute a teeming battlefield of clashing ideologies. The chief protagonist is the dominant neoliberal market ideology Steger calls "globalism." Although globalism constitutes little more than a gigantic repackaging of old laissez-faire ideas, it deserves the label "new market ideology" because its advocates have been able to link their quaint free-market concepts with cutting-edge "global talk." At the same time, globalism has already encountered serious ideological challengers from both the political left and right. The anti-WTO protests in Seattle and the demonstrations against the IMF and World Bank in Prague are just the opening salvos of the coming battle over the meaning and direction of globalization. After identifying and evaluating the five central claims of globalism—including assertions that "globalization is inevitable," "nobody is in charge of globalization," and "globalization benefits everyone"—Steger offers an overview of the counterclaims made by anti-globalist forces. Since this ideological struggle will deeply influence the crucial political and ethical questions of the new century, this book seeks to provide readers with an understanding of how dominant beliefs about globalization fashion their realities, and that these ideas and values can be changed in a more egalitarian direction.

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2001

About the author

Manfred B. Steger (born 1961) is Professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He was also Professor of Global Studies and Director of the Globalism Research Centre at RMIT University in Australia until 2013. Steger's research and teaching spans globalization, ideology, and non-violence.

Steger's won the 2003 Michael Harrington Award with his study on Globalism: The New Market Ideology.

Reviews

[fake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and sharp essay on globalism as ideology (aka neoliberalism) from year 2003, which is not that outdated now. Author refers to critical analysis and gramsci's cultural hegemony theory to shine the light on key myths of neoliberal ideology that we take for granted and as "real" ("it's natural, these market laws" and doing best for us, they say).

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Steger seems to be qualified to climb the academic ladder, the outside world being quite foreign for his understanding.

[Nanto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saya akan ulas lebih panjang nanti. Sementara saya cukup bilang, saya suka dengan apa yang dikatakan di awal buku ini, sejarah belum berakhir dengan hancurnya komunisme seperti yang digadang-gadangkan oleh Fukuyama.

Euphoria pasca-Perang Dingin itu harus disimpan. Karena sarat dengan "nafsu penyeragaman" terselubung. Selama bumi berputar perbedaan itu akan ada, dan kita layak untuk berbeda, bukan dibungkus oleh satu ideologi tunggal.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tries hard (and mostly suceeds) in outlining the main themes and points of view within the globalization debate for all angles.