Ricerc@Sapienza

This introduction presents the aim of a collective effort of a book on depoliticisation and repoliticisation. The meaning of the concepts use by the authors is explained referring to two generations of academic debate in political science and sociology, and even through examples concerning the field of education policies. Depoliticisation is a key to understanding the transformations occurring in the relationships between political and non-political actors who take part in the policy processes.

For some, the term neoliberalism has acquired “such toxic connotations that nobody
concerned with their public reputation would identify with it”. At the same time,
though, no term better than neoliberalism is reputed to design the ideology prevailing
worldwide since the 1980s.

The issue of debt and how it effects our lives is becoming more and more urgent. The "Austerity" model has been the prevalent European economic policies of recent years led by the "German model". Elettra Stimilli draws upon contemporary philosophy, psychology and theology to argue that austerity is built on the idea that we somehow deserve to be punished and need to experience guilt in order to take full account of our economic sins.

This article focuses on a religious structure that is intrinsic to the contemporary mechanisms that have enabled the global domination of economic power: faith in the market. Following Foucault’s transition from biopolitics to governmentality, this article articulates the mechanism that generates the ability for human beings to give shape and value to their lives.

The article examines an exchange between Elizabeth Povinelli and Veena Das over the role of the ordinary. They both argue that we can situate social worlds in the ordinary and daily lives of people shaped by micro or quasi events. This minute texture of living makes it difficult or actually impossible, though, to sort out events that call forth criticism and political action. Following Stanley Cavell’s lead, the article suggests how life described under the signature sign of the uneventful may be a proper place for envisaging when the need for criticism and change is called forth.

Max Weber’s account of the rise of capitalism focused on his concept of a Protestant ethic, valuing diligence in earning and saving money but restraint in spending it. However, such individual restraint is foreign to contemporary understandings of finance, which treat ever-increasing consumption and debt as natural, almost essential, for maintaining the economic cycle of buying and selling.