Fuck Neoliberalism: Translating Resistance

by Simon Springer

Fuck Neoliberalism: Translating Resistance is a worldwide middle finger to the all-encompassing ideology of our era.This book brings those translations together, accompanied with short essays from each translator that explain the reasons why they translated the text and describes the localized struggles against neoliberalism in their regions. With translations into languages from across the globe, this book highlights the international nature of resistance to the totalitarian ideology of neoliberalism. Featuring a cover produced by renowned artist Ed Repka (a.k.a. the King of Thrash Metal Art), this internationalized, heavy-metal rant against the all-powerful ideology highlights a chink in its armor. When people across the world find a way to communicate a shared message and stand together, resistance can be both beautiful and inspiring.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Essays

256 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2020

Reviews

[Rachel Ashera Rosen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I bought this for the cover, which slaps harder than anything I ever have or will design. Also this isn't really a book—it's an essay that is translated into a bunch of different languages. Which is cool and good, I just wasn't expecting that and didn't bother leafing through it because I was sold on the title and cover.

That said, it is an interesting read. You probably won't learn anything new from the essay itself. I don't have any political arguments with it or anything, it just says what we've all been thinking. Nothing wrong with preaching to the converted. What is interesting is the introduction, which details Springer's conflicts in academia with pearl-clutching superiors and a hostile media that cannot handle either criticisms of neoliberalism or the word "fuck," apparently. The ardent defenders of academic free speech that rallied to the cause of that other, more well known Canadian academic Jordan B. Peterson, did not as it turns out extend their belief system to defend Singer's use of the word fuck. I bet you're surprised.

The other cool thing is the translators' notes. How do you translate a political screed in countries where there is a different or absent construction of neoliberalism as a political or economic term? Where the word "fuck" doesn't have the connotation or grammatical flexibility that it has in English? Where a government is actively censoring you?

In conclusion: if you are expecting a book, you might be disappointed. But if you're interested in an 8-page 'zine with a lot of interesting supporting material—or if you're 4 books behind in your Goodreads goal for the year—I recommend it.

[Cae Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I thought this would be a full book that examines Neoliberalism, means of resistance, and possible alternatives in detail, but instead we have here an 8 page manifesto in 21 languages, deceptively bound together in book form.

While a quick and fun read, I'm left wondering who this publication is for? The manifesto itself is fairly vague, mentioning many leftist ideas without really exploring them. Maybe the title and cover will pique the interest of a curious few, but little is done to guide them in further exploration of the values professed. There's also not really anything on the cover to suggest that this book has much to offer to non-english speakers, leaving me feeling like this text and it's translations should have been published separately in pamphlet form for easier mass-dissemination if the author wanted this to be an effective piece of propaganda.

[Megan Fischer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite possibly the most expensive 8 pages I've ever bought, which seems to go against the whole message of said 8 pages.
I loved the cover, very sexy
Loved the use of the word "boobtastic"
Hated the deceptive size of the book, it's really the same essay translated 20 times, which is cool in terms of accessibility for those who's native language isn't English, but also nothing on the cover says anything about the translation. So it seems unlikely those who don't speak English would naturally gravitate towards this.
But also after I read it, I found free copies online so that's sexy
being swindled by capitalism is unsexy though
Also the 8 pages aren't even informative, it is more a passionate rant than an analysis of the power and horror of neoliberalism, also the last couple of pages are about how to rise up against neoliberalism but also not, apparently protesting and writing anticapitalism essays aren't enough (clearly true) but what do you suggest sir, got any alternatives that are effective? He says we must become "enactive in our politics" what the hell does that mean, is my comprehension bad or does this essay not actually say anything except for "fuck neoliberalism" and "boobtastic"

[Mr. Sneekz · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I am new to the term “Neoliberalism” and the concept of austerity playing a key role in our socio-economic space here in the US. I did find the writing to be both academic as well as easy to follow. Certainly reads like a manifesto more so than a step-by-step guide on how to combat Neoliberalism. With that it is an excellent primer, IMO, to the concept even though those of us that live in it every day see its effects on our lives. My fave part of this book actually comes from one of the excerpts provided by Charalampos Tsavdaroglou. Specifically when they mentioned the idea of “right to city”.

My favorite quote that I believe people in the age of social media would be very keen to understand and rally behind comes on page 15.

“It [prefigured politics] is reflexive and attentive, but always with a view toward production, invention, and creation to satisfy the desire for community.”

Fuck Neoliberalism

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This paper/book caught my eye because of its bluntness. It spent a lot of time breaking down the stigmas associated with swearing in academia and the notion that using non-academic language is inherently feeding into neoliberalism. While I wish the paper included specific ways we as a collective can take action, I appreciated the commentary surrounding prefigurative politics as a broad solution. The translators’ commentary was also incredibly interesting to read. It’s rare that the conversation surrounding neoliberalism leaves the Western point of view, so I was intrigued to read about how neoliberalism impacts other parts of the world besides the US.

Overall I really enjoyed this book/paper and recommend it to anyone who believes in the message—fuck neoliberalism!

[Sezgin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manifest na miarę XXI wieku... FUCK NEOLIBERALISM!!!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Technically I read this book last year, but it wasn't officially released so I couldn't include it on my list.

Overall it is a super-interesting book. My favorite part is the discussions around how difficult it is to translate the word "fuck" into other languages.

[Richard Derus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: In a long history of ruination and destruction, neoliberalism is the most recent and virulent form of capitalism. This book is a call to action against the most persistent and pestilent disease of our time. Translated into over twenty different languages, the book offers a call to action that transcends local contexts and speaks to the violent global conditions of our neoliberal age.

Fuck Neoliberalism: Translating Resistance is a worldwide middle finger to the all-encompassing ideology of our era.

With translations into languages from across the globe, including Mandarin, German, Indonesian, Spanish, Hindi, Italian, Korean, and many more, this book brings those translations together, accompanied with short essays from each translator that explain the reasons why they translated the text and describes the struggles against neoliberalism in their regions. With these translations, this book highlights the international nature of resistance to the totalitarian ideology of neoliberalism.

Featuring a cover produced by renowned artist Ed Repka (a.k.a. the King of Thrash Metal Art), this internationalized, heavy-metal rant against the all-powerful ideology highlights a chink in its armor. When people across the world find a way to communicate a shared message and stand together, resistance can be both beautiful and inspiring.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: You're on board with the sentiment or you're not; but on or off, it would do all y'all a power of good to read words from those who've chosen to translate this (surprisingly mild, given its épater-la-bourgeoisie title) essay into their languages of choice, usually of their homelands.

Understand that book-banning, speech-squelching, and thought-controlling has gone on forever and becomes the default when too many "nice" people do not make the affirmative effort to resist it. Yes, even when it bothers you, even when it...gasp...offends you. Unless the speech is advocating violence, hate crimes, or censorship of those disliked by the powerful, it is in your personal interest to actively support free speech.

Worty dirds are not grounds for censorship. Rude gestures are not grounds for censorship. Demands for brown-skinned people to "go home" are. Demands for personal enemies to be persecuted by state power are. Let's stay clear about this.

Even if you never read a word of this loudmouthed little book, buy one to support firebrand publishers in their mission to save us from the worst consequences of our lazy, "nice" conformity.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a cheat entry - I've only read the English-language essay, which you can find along with many translations here, from the journal that originally published it.

"Fuck Neoliberalism" is a suprisingly potent slogan, as Springer explains. The expression of revulsion and anger at a system which we are too civil towards is transgressive - and that's what makes it liberating. Springer makes a strong case for this idea freeing us from TINA ("there is no alternative [to neoliberalism]") ideology into a prefigurative politics (or, in short, organizing today in a way that anticipates what we want tomorrow to look like).

This, along with its aside to take down the "tragedy of the commons" myth, makes this absolutely worth the 15 minutes it takes to read. I may well get myself a copy of the full book as having an essay from each translator on the local relevance of the text is a fantastic idea.

[DaN McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I was part of the Kickstarter that funded this book so I knew before I read it how awesome it is, having read the original pamphlet. This is how more academia needs to be - blunt and informed. And the beauty of this edition (besides the fantastic cover art - get it on a t-shirt or hoodie from PM Press!) is not only the global translations but the translators notes about how they went about translating the work.

[Nico · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know it sounds trite to say, but this is essential reading.
It is a must-read for anyone feeling disillusioned with the current state of affairs.
Upon reading, if you endorse Springer's message/warning, as I do, you ought to buy several copies and give them to friends and family, as I will definitely be doing.

[emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

“demand the impossible. rise up and revolt. destroy what destroys you. smash capitalism. laugh in its face and dance on its motherfucking grave! let’s be done with this violent fucking system of domination once and for all. fuck neoliberalism!”