Botswana marching towards neoliberalism

have for the past few years been studying Botswana’s economic decision making and with many recent developments I am now fully convinced that indeed our country is fast marching towards the neo liberal economic model whose origins can be traced to the western world and have gained more prominence during the ascension to power in the 1970s and 1980s of British Prime Minister Margret Thatcher and US president Ronald Reagan. This is a model of free market fundamentalism better known as neo liberalism.

According to Henry Giroux neoliberalism is a philosophy which construes profit making as the essence of democracy and consuming as the only operable form of citizenship. It also provides a rationale for a handful of private interests to control as much as possible of social, economic, and political life in order to maximise their personal profit. Neoliberalism, Giroux assets, is marked by a shift from the manufacturing to the service sector, the rise of temporary and part-time work, growth of the financial sphere and speculative activity, the spread of mass consumerism, the commodification of practically everything. It is indeed true that neoliberalism combines free market ideology with the privatisation of public wealth, the elimination of the social state and social protections, and the deregulation of economic activity. Core narratives of neoliberalism are: privatisation, deregulation, commodification, and the selling off of state functions.  Neoliberalism advocates lifting the government oversight of free enterprise/trade thereby not providing checks and balances to prevent or mitigate social damage that might occur as a result of the policy of “no governmental interference”; eliminating public funding of social services; deregulating governmental involvement in anything that could cut into the profits of private enterprise; privatising such enterprises as schools, hospitals, community-based organisations, and other entities traditionally held in the public trust; and eradicating the concept of “the public good” or “community” in favor of “individual responsibility.”

I have a strong believe that neo liberalism  is a form of economic terrorism because it abstracts economics from ethics and social costs, makes a mockery of democracy, works to dismantle the welfare state, thrives on militarisation, undermines any public sphere not governed by market values, and transforms people into commodities. Neoliberalism’s rigid emphasis on unfettered individualism, competitiveness and flexibility displaces compassion, sharing and a concern for the welfare of others. In doing so, Giroux argues that it dissolves crucial social bonds and undermines the profound nature of social responsibility and its ensuing concern for others.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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