Wendy Brown
, UC Berkley
The Demos Undone: Neoliberalism, Democracy, Citizenship

 

6pm-7.30pm, Thursday 7th of November 2013

The Old Courtroom, 118 Church Street, Brighton, BN1 1UD

 

Wendy Brown, Professor of Politics at UC Berkeley, has made far-reaching contributions to contemporary political and critical theory. Her arguments have forced a rethinking of contemporary theories of power, gender, and oppression. Her work on the divergent rationalities of neo-liberalism and neo-conservativism as well as her analysis of neo-liberalism in relation to the contemporary threats to public education have established her as a major public intellectual of our time.

Abstract 

This lecture examines ways in which neoliberal rationality dissolves the
figure of the citizen into human capital and erases the figure of the
demos altogether. As liberty, equality and universality are inverted
into capital appreciation, inequality and competition – as this occurs in
governance, law, and the principles of public education – what remains of
the individual or popular sovereignty at the heart of modern demos-cracy?  

This lecture is open to all. Please arrive early to ensure that you get a seat.

For any enquiries email Mark Devenney.