The family is at the heart of neoliberalism. Thus argues Melinda Cooper in her 2017 book Family Values. Usually when I hear the term neoliberalism I think about the individual and personal responsibility. Yet, Cooper demonstrates, the family is central to its operations and maintenance. I think Arendt’s critique of the family can be especially helpful in illuminating this claim. But, she also naturalizes the family in a way — similar to neoliberalism. Personal responsibility equals family … [Read more...]
Archives for November 2020
Space in the time of coronavirus
In the previous edition of the #AtHomeWithArendt series, Katy discussed the value of temporal and spatial transitions in our workdays. And that got me thinking: what does space even mean now? All over the world, physical distancing is not just encouraged but actually demanded. So, what does it mean to be present when physical proximity is sometimes a matter of life and death? Katy and I have been thinking and writing about what it means to listen solidaristically for more than a year, but the … [Read more...]