SOCIOL 4EE3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Thrasymachus, Neoliberalism, Socratic Questioning
Document Summary
This chapter by west discusses the transformation of postmodern politics to a matter influenced by capitalism and the excessive force of economics, the market, and neoliberalism. West argues that today, america is faced with the threat of deadening nihilism which suffocates democracy in the country and brings a national atmosphere of hopelessness and lovelessness. The chapter says that america is influenced by corporations and market morality which diminishes citizens" feeling of purpose or meaning, and creates national feelings of despair and disappointment. Not only have citizens given up, but politicians have as well because they no longer see hope in reshaping the nation, and resort to corrupt tactics and cynicism in their strategy and policy. Democracy has been overrun by capitalism and has brought forth overpowering nihilism and an aura of lifelessness. All of this is what west calls nihilism of despair.