What is Neoliberalism, and how does it operate ideologically?

The aim of the extended essay is to engage in depth with one of the central questions addressed during weeks 4-10 of the course, and/or to think across several such themes. The extended essay should demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical debates concerning the given question, and the capacity to deploy one or more of these theoretical approaches in the critique of ideology, in relation to the topic of the question. This can be either a general discussion of the theme of the question, or a more detailed case study of one or more examples related to this theme. The essay should present a persuasive argument that answers the question, and demonstrates extensive reading and research, as well as critical thought and reflection. There is no textbook for this course. However, the following are good introductory readings: A thought-provoking introduction to ideology critique: • Eagleton, T. (2007) Ideology: An Introduction (London: Verso) An advanced introduction to radical theories of ideology: • Rehman, J. (2013) Theories of Ideology: The Powers of Alienation and Subjection (Brill: Leiden) A challenging collection of classic essays on ideology: • Žižek, S. ed. (1994) Mapping Ideology (New York: Verso) A useful mainstream introduction to ideology: • Freeden, M. (2003) Ideology: A Very Short Introduction (New York: Oxford University Press) A recent pop-cultural introduction to Slavoj Žižek’s influential critique of ideology: • Žižek, S. (2015) Trouble in Paradise: From the End of History to the End of Capitalism (London: Penguin) An important recent contribution to the critique of the ideologies of global capitalism: • Boltanski, L. and E. Chiapello (2017) The New Spirit of Capitalism (New York: Verso) An accessible application of psychoanalytic theory to core ideologies of contemporary capitalism: • McGowan, T (2016) Capitalism and Desire: The Psychic Cost of Free Markets (New York: Columbia University Press) An application of Žižek’s critique of ideology to the politics of capitalist development: • Wilson, J. (2014) Jeffrey Sachs: The Strange Case of Dr Shock and Mr Aid (London: Verso) A sophisticated philosophical reflection on the theories of Marx and Lacan: • Tomsic, S (2015) The Capitalist Unconscious: Marx and Lacan (London: Verso) 9 Useful introductory texts on the psychoanalytical theory of Jacques Lacan: • Bailly, L (2009) Lacan: A Beginner’s Guide (Oxford: One World) • Homer, S (2005) Jacques Lacan (New York: Routledge) • Žižek, S. (2007) How to Read Lacan (New York: WW Norton)