Neoliberalism in education: how to fight back? A strategic reflection based on Foucault

Abstract

The author sought to reconstruct the trajectory of studies regarding neoliberalisation of education, and then establish Foucault’s position in this context. For some years, the French philosopher’s work remained, at least in France, far from analyzes regarding neoliberalism. But, with the publication of the courses in which Foucault analyzes neoliberalism a new theoretical current of Foucauldian studies emerged. There was an attempt to return to Foucault’s interpretation regarding the changes that have occurred in society since the philosopher’s courses. The book The New Way of the World: On Neoliberal Society, by Christian Laval and Pierre Dardot, was responsible for carrying out this movement to bring Foucault’s diagnosis to the present. Many studies emerged presenting a new diagnosis of education systems which, despite not mentioning Foucault, were based on The New Way of the World. The French philosopher’s courses gave rise to a new generation of thinkers and researchers responsible for reestablishing the character of radical political criticism of Foucault’s work.