Power, Neoliberalism, and Politics - A View

As it is in most things around life, politics play a large role. The perspectives and practices that may vary from one person or another are often defined by political theorists to simplify and organize knowledge. One of the most current and practiced of these categories is Neoliberalism. Recalling McChesney in Chomsky's Profit Over People (p. 7), Neoliberalism is defined as the "policies and processes whereby a relative handful of private interests are permitted to control as much as possible of social life in order to maximize profits." This is exactly the type of practice that I avoid as a CEO. Not because profits are a bad thing, but because it is my duty to put my organization's goals at the forefront which move to improve democracies, humanity, and the natural environment among other things.

Neoliberalism is often times the defining method of operation for most CEOs as profits are what drive the market economy. However, I feel that there is a shift approaching which is very much attached to the global environmental crises and modern telecommunications. Power as defined by Neoliberalism, is in my opinion, on the decline. More and more over the world people are gaining better educations, learning about the vices and virtues of democracy, and are calling for increased transparency, accountability, and equality. All these areas are a drive towards removing the secrecy of past power politics and are acknowledging that many things in life are more important than profits. There is also a growing trend amongst many European and North American people of rejecting classical perceptions of power such as materialism. Focus is being given to the importance of people, environment, experiences, and social awareness. Telecommunications is allowing for civil society to unite on a global scale which is one of many processes which erodes the jingoistic and often negative aspects of nationalism such as a hate for another country or nation without regard that people of that country or nation may have the same interests and opinions as you.

Business culture is often a mirror of popular political behavior and this growing shift in our societies away from classical notions of power such as Neoliberalism is probably one of the factors leading to the burgeoning ranks of "social" companies, or more transparent businesses, and the "green economy." Oddly enough, businesses and politicians are doing this inherently to maintain power and profits but it is a growing trade off. Profits are not a bad thing, but like power, there is a limit before things become absurd. Unless you are an active philanthropist (someone has shared with me that Rockefeller (H.D?) donated over 500,000,000$ US to various charities) supporting many positive activities, why would you need tens of millions of dollars? For more cars? A bigger mansion or big screen TV in the bathroom? How can these empty items derive any pleasure...it's just not obvious to me.

The touch of a loved one, beaming parents, the smile of a child, the proud thanks of an aid beneficiary, the sigh of relief from someone helped after a catastrophe, the look of admiration given in men's eyes after many good deeds are done; these and many many more are the true diamonds in life. To hell with Lamborghini and Gucci, I'll take the trowl and lay the next brick in the house for humanity.

- Jean-Paul