Neoliberalism, Crisis and Education

This chapter explores the relationship between neoliberalism and crisis. It explains the theory that neoliberal policies create crises, which leads to further neoliberal policies in an attempt to solve the crises. Intuitively we would expect that a significant problem, such as a recession or a natural disaster, may lead to a different approach. In this chapter, I give examples from major American events such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the flooding of New Orleans, as well as the global financial crisis of 2008 and explain how there are neoliberal links to the origin of the crises, but also neoliberal policies are utilised as solutions. The chapter then focuses on examples from England and specific cases from public policy and the welfare state, e.g. where sections of the welfare state are deprived of funding, are seen as failing and therefore privatisation is needed. The chapter also describes how the media can create a sense of crisis that may not reflect reality. This can then be exploited by those who are agitating for particular approach, i.e. the crisis proves the need for certain actions.