Neoliberalism and Criminalisation

This chapter situates processes of criminalisation within the context of a broader theoretical analysis of neoliberalism. It argues that the much-debated neoliberal penality thesis provides insightful, if contested, theoretical resources into such processes. Key contributors to NLP are discussed to highlight the debates and disagreements within the literature. The chapter focuses on two ‘versions’ of neoliberalism—one ideational and one Foucauldian—that further our understanding of criminalisation and the treatment of vulnerable groups. It is argued that agnotology—the study of ignorance—is ideationally important within the context of neoliberal societies where ignorance underpins both neoliberal philosophy and practice. In the Foucauldian approach, governmentality provides an understanding of processes of subjectification through which vulnerable groups are deemed to share characteristics inimical to market rule.