Neoliberalism and its epistemological understanding: notes from the readings of Béatrice Hibou and Christian Laval

Abstract

This bibliographical essay discusses the works of Béatrice Hibou, The Bureaucratisation of the World in the Neoliberal Era, and Christian Laval, Foucault, Bourdieu and the Neoliberal Question. Firstly, a brief introduction to the most common meanings of the concept of neoliberalism within the academic context has been developed, providing an initial approach to some of the assumptions that underpin the definition of neoliberalism as a rationality that both authors use in their respective works. Next, the main points underpinning the arguments of both works, first Hibou's and then Laval's, have been critically discussed. Finally, a brief final reflection is made on some common points between the two works and some dimensions these analyses could benefit from have been mentioned.